Biotech Patent Associate Attorney (Ph.D)

Arena Family of Companies; Carlsbad (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance

401(k) & FSA

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

A biotechnology patent associate attorney with a Ph.D. in life sciences is sought for a hybrid role in Southern California, based in Carlsbad or Long Beach. The firm offers a base salary range of $130,000-$180,000 plus bonus, with a 3/2 in-office/remote schedule.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D., a J.D., and active US Bar admission to be considered. The ideal candidate will work with complex molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology, and related biology.

Qualifications

• Required: Ph.D. in life sciences + J.D. in law + active US Bar membership.
• Deep scientific depth in molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology.
• Strong writing ability and interest in biotechnology patent prosecution.
• Hybrid schedule preferred; Long Beach or Carlsbad base.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute biotechnology and life sciences patent applications.
• Interviews with inventors; review disclosures and experimental data.
• Translate biological concepts into patent specifications and strategies.
• Develop filing strategies aligned with client objectives; respond to Office Actions.
• Contribute to IP portfolio strategy, due diligence, and licensing discussions.

Skills

Ph.D.-trained

Biotechnology

Molecular biology

Genetics/Genomics

Immunology

Education

Ph.D. in life sciences

J.D. from accredited law school

Job description

Biotechnology Patent Associate Attorney, (Ph.D)

Hybrid | Carlsbad or Long Beach CA | $130,000-$180,000 + Bonus (May Stretch Based on Exp)

Arena Staffing has partnered with a confidential Southern California intellectual property law firm that is hiring a Ph.D.-trained Biotechnology Patent Associate Attorney to support its growing biotechnology and life sciences practice. The position may be based in Long Beach or Carlsbad and follows a hybrid schedule of 3 days in office and 2 days remote. Candidates must hold a relevant life-sciences Ph.D., a J.D. from an accredited law school, and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. State Bar. All three credentials are required for this position.

This is a highly specialized opportunity for an attorney with deep scientific expertise in molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a closely related biological discipline. The firm works with sophisticated academic researchers, scientists, inventors, biotechnology companies, startups, and technology-transfer professionals to protect complex biotechnology innovations.

Prior biotechnology patent prosecution experience is a strong plus, but it is not required. The firm will consider exceptional Ph.D./J.D.-credentialed, U.S. State Bar-admitted attorneys who bring the right scientific depth, exceptional writing ability, and a genuine desire to build a career in biotechnology patent prosecution.

Why This Role Is Worth a Conversation

• Use Your Ph.D. Every Day: Work with complex molecular, cellular, genetic, genomic, and immunological technologies where your scientific background directly matters.
• Sophisticated Scientific Work: Support biotechnology inventions involving molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology, cell biology, biologics, gene and cell technologies, diagnostics, and emerging biotechnology platforms.
• Direct Scientist & Inventor Exposure: Work directly with academic researchers, scientists, inventors, technology-transfer professionals, founders, and in-house counsel.
• Strong Partner Mentorship: Work closely with experienced patent attorneys while taking on increasing responsibility as your experience develops.
• Patent Prosecution Experience Not Required: Scientific depth and writing ability are the priority. The firm will consider qualified Ph.D./J.D. attorneys who are newer to biotechnology patent prosecution and provide mentorship as their prosecution experience develops.
• Strategic IP Exposure: Gain experience across patent drafting, prosecution, claim strategy, patentability, freedom-to-operate, due diligence, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
• Academic Client Exposure: Work in an environment where Ph.D.-level scientific credibility is highly valued when advising sophisticated university and research clients.
• Competitive Package: $130,000-$180,000 base salary plus performance-based bonus, hybrid flexibility, comprehensive benefits, and professional development support.

Role Snapshot

The Biotechnology Patent Attorney will help translate complex scientific discoveries into commercially meaningful patent protection. This person will work directly with inventors and scientific teams to understand new technologies, analyze experimental data and scientific literature, identify patentable concepts, develop claims and filing strategies, and support domestic and international patent portfolios.

The firm is specifically looking for someone who can operate at a high scientific level with researchers in molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology, cell biology, and related fundamental biology. Scientific depth is more important than arriving with several years of patent prosecution experience.

What You Will Own

• Draft and prosecute U.S. and international biotechnology and life sciences patent applications, with close partner mentorship as experience develops.
• Conduct inventor interviews and review invention disclosures, experimental data, research findings, and scientific literature.
• Translate complex biological concepts into clear patent specifications, claims, and prosecution strategies.
• Develop claims and filing strategies based on the client's scientific, commercial, and competitive objectives.
• Prepare responses to USPTO Office Actions and participate in examiner interviews, with training and increasing ownership based on experience.
• Conduct prior-art searches, patentability analyses, and scientific and patent literature reviews.
• Support freedom-to-operate, IP due diligence, claim-chart analysis, licensing, and patent portfolio strategy.
• Communicate directly with scientists, academic researchers, technology-transfer professionals, founders, in-house counsel, and other clients.
• Collaborate with partners and other attorneys on domestic and international patent portfolios.

Must-Have Requirements

• Required Credential Combination: Relevant life-sciences Ph.D. + J.D. from an accredited law school + active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. State Bar. All three are required.
• Deep Biological Science Expertise: Ph.D.-level scientific depth in Molecular Biology, Genetics/Genomics, Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, RNA Biology, or another closely related fundamental biological discipline.
• Scientific Research Depth: Ability to understand sophisticated experimental data, biological mechanisms, scientific literature, and emerging biotechnology at a level that allows credible interaction with Ph.D. scientists and academic researchers.
• Exceptional Technical / Scientific Writing: Demonstrated ability to translate highly complex biological concepts into clear, precise, persuasive written work.
• Biotechnology Patent Career Interest: Genuine desire to build or continue a career in biotechnology patent prosecution. Prior prosecution experience is not required.
• Scientist / Inventor Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with scientists, researchers, inventors, technology-transfer professionals, attorneys, and clients.
• USPTO Eligibility: Current USPTO registration is not required. Candidate must be eligible and willing to obtain registration promptly.

Scientific Background Note: This search is focused on deep molecular, cellular, genetics/genomics, immunology, RNA, and related fundamental biology. Pharmaceutical experience alone, biomedical engineering, medical-device expertise, clinical operations, manufacturing, or general healthcare backgrounds are not sufficient without substantial directly relevant molecular or cellular biological research.

Preferred Experience

• Biotechnology or life sciences patent prosecution experience.
• Hands-on experience drafting biotechnology patent applications.
• Experience preparing USPTO Office Action responses and developing prosecution strategy.
• Experience participating in examiner interviews.
• Experience working directly with scientists, inventors, or academic research teams.
• Postdoctoral, university, academic laboratory, or biotechnology research experience involving molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology, cell biology, or closely related fundamental biology.
• Strong scientific publication or research background.

Location and Work Environment

• Hybrid schedule: 3 days in office and 2 days remote.
• Long Beach, CA or Carlsbad, CA office.
• Schedule is subject to firm policy, client needs, and business requirements.

Interview Process

• Round 1: Virtual interview with partner(s), approximately 45-60 minutes.
• Round 2: Full-day interview, preferably in person.
• Assessment: Short writing exercise plus a technical presentation to attorneys and patent professionals on a technology the candidate understands well and can explain clearly, followed by Q&A.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary: $130,000-$180,000, commensurate with scientific background, qualifications, and relevant experience.
• Performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) and FSA benefits.
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance.
• Paid firm holidays.
• 10 days / 80 hours of paid sick leave annually, prorated during the first year when applicable.
• CLE and professional development support.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arena Staffing and our client are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including California requirements related to pay scale disclosures, paid sick leave, and required reporting and recordkeeping. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process.