Biotech Patent Associate Attorney (J.D + Ph.D)

Arena Family of Companies; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Performance-based bonus

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development support

Job summary

Arena Staffing is partnering with a confidential Southern California IP law firm to hire a Ph.D.-trained Biotechnology Patent Associate Attorney. The role offers a hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 remote) in Long Beach or Carlsbad, CA, with base salary $130,000–$180,000 plus bonus. Candidates must hold a life-sciences Ph.D., a J.D., and be an active member of at least one U.S.

State Bar. Deep scientific background in molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology, or related fields is

Qualifications

• Must have Ph.D. in life sciences and a J.D. from an accredited law school with active U.S. Bar membership.
• Scientific depth in molecular biology, genetics/genomics, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry, or closely related biology.
• Exceptional technical/scientific writing ability.
• Genuine interest in biotechnology patent prosecution; prior prosecution experience not required.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute U.S. and international biotech patent applications with mentorship as experience develops.
• Conduct inventor interviews, review disclosures and data, and translate findings into patent specs and claims.
• Develop filing strategies aligned with client objectives and conduct patentability analyses.
• Prepare responses to USPTO actions and participate in examiner interviews as needed.
• Support freedom-to-operate, due diligence, licensing, and portfolio strategy.

Skills

Ph.D. in Life Sciences

J.D. from accredited law school

Active US Bar admission

Education

Ph.D. in Life Sciences

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Biotechnology Patent Associate Attorney, (J.D + Ph.D)

Hybrid | Long Beach or Carlsbad, 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.