Intellectual Property Counsel/Agent, Digital Pathology

Roche; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 162,000 - 302,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche seeks an Intellectual Property Counsel/Agent to lead drafting and prosecution of patent applications in digital pathology, AI, and software. You will collaborate with R&D, data science, and engineering teams to capture inventions and shape global patent strategy across open‑source and cloud‑native platforms.

The role requires hands‑on patent work, management of outside counsel, and strong communication to translate complex algorithms into robust disclosures.

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of hands‑on patent drafting, prosecution, portfolio strategy, and legal counseling focused on software, AI, ML, and computational biology.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO as a Patent Agent or Attorney; active US bar license required.
• B.S. is required; advanced degree in a quantitative field is a plus.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting software/AI patent claims; familiarity with DL frameworks and image analysis.
• Exceptional communication to translate complex algorithms into strong patent disclosures.

Responsibilities

• Directly draft high‑quality US and international patent applications covering core computer vision models and AI workflows.
• Prepare and file responses to Office Actions; conduct examiner interviews; manage prosecution before USPTO and foreign offices.
• Select, direct, and manage external counsel for drafting, prosecution, and portfolio projects.
• Formulate and execute global IP strategies for deep learning networks and diagnostic algorithms.
• Conduct FTO analyses and patentability studies for open‑source software and cloud‑native infra.
• Collaborate with software engineers, ML researchers, and pathologists to harvest inventions from foundation models and image analysis.

Skills

Patent drafting

Patent prosecution

AI/ML patents

Communication skills

Education

B.S. degree

MS/PhD in CS/Bioinformatics/CE/Math/Physics (plus)

Tools

Deep learning frameworks

Image analysis tools

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

Intellectual Property Counsel/Agent, Digital Pathology

Roche Diagnostics is pushing the boundaries of precision medicine by converging tissue diagnostics with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, computer vision, and spatial biology workflows. As an IP Counsel or Registered Patent Agent within our IP Legal Department, you will sit at the forefront of this digital revolution. In this hands‑on role, you will directly draft and prosecute patent applications while managing outside counsel and shaping global patent strategy, portfolio development, and risk mitigation for Roche's next‑generation Digital Pathology ecosystems.

The Opportunity: In this role, you will serve as a strategic legal and technical advisor to R&D, data science, software engineering, and business development teams, directly capturing and protecting inventions in computational diagnostics.

• First‑Principle Application Drafting: Directly draft high‑quality US and international patent applications covering core computer vision models, agentic AI workflows, spatial biology pipelines, and clinical‑grade bioinformatics algorithms
• Hands‑on Patent Prosecution: Directly prepare and file responses to Office Actions, conduct examiner interviews, and steer prosecution strategies before the USPTO and foreign patent offices to secure broad, enforceable claims for digital health software architectures
• Outside Counsel Management: Select, direct, and manage external legal counsel for overflow drafting, global prosecution, and specialized portfolio projects to ensure technical precision, cost efficiency, and alignment with Roche's overarching IP strategy
• Strategic Portfolio Management: Formulate and execute robust global IP strategies covering deep learning neural networks, proprietary diagnostic algorithms, and multi‑modal diagnostic fusion engines
• Freedom‑to‑Operate (FTO) & Risk Assessment: Conduct complex FTO analyses, landscape reviews, validity assessments, and patentability studies specifically tailored to open‑source software integration and cloud‑native digital health infrastructures
• IP Harvesting & R&D Integration: Partner directly with software engineers, machine learning researchers, and pathologists to systematically harvest inventions arising from foundation models, image segmentation, and quantitative biomarker analysis

Who You Are

• You are a strategic, hands‑on IP professional who thrives at the intersection of complex algorithmic models and advanced tissue diagnostic pathology
• Experience: 3–7+ years of dedicated experience in hands‑on patent drafting, prosecution, portfolio strategy, and legal counseling focused on software, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and/or computational biology
• Credentials: Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney. Attorney applicants must possess an active license in good standing with at least one US state bar
• Education: B.S. required; advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Bioengineering, or a closely related quantitative field is a plus
• Technical & Prosecution Mastery: Demonstrated track record of personally drafting and successfully prosecuting complex software and AI patent claims, alongside familiarity with deep learning frameworks, spatial transcriptomics/proteomics data processing, and automated image analysis tools
• Legal & Analytical Skills: Deep expertise in navigating nuanced software patentability landscapes (e.g., overcoming 35 U.S.C
• 101/Alice challenges and foreign patentability hurdles for computer‑implemented diagnostic inventions)
• Communication: Exceptional oral and written communication skills with a proven ability to translate intricate algorithmic concepts into strong patent disclosures and effectively engage with multi‑disciplinary scientific and executive stakeholders globally

Location

Tucson, AZ (Preferred). Open to other U.S. Roche hubs: Pleasanton, CA; Santa Clara, CA; or Boston, MA.

Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of Tucson, AZ is $162,400 - $301,600. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer and strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination based upon an individual's race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, mental/physical disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.