Life Sciences Patent Prosecution Associate

Watts & Associates Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health insurance

Retirement support

Paid time off

Professional development

Wellbeing programmes

Pro bono opportunities

Job summary

Watts & Associates, a premier Am Law 50 firm, is seeking a Life Sciences Patent Associate to join its San Francisco, CA office. You will engage in patent preparation, prosecution and portfolio strategy for biotechnology and life-sciences innovations, collaborating with partners and senior lawyers on high-value matters.

The ideal candidate has 1–4 years of patent experience, a strong scientific background in biology or related fields, and excellent writing and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Approximately 1–4 years of patent prosecution or related patent practice experience.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting biotechnology or life-sciences applications.
• Advanced scientific background relevant to the client work.
• Strong academic credentials and sophisticated practice experience.
• Admission to the California Bar.
• Ph.D. or advanced degree strongly preferred; USPTO registration may be required.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute biotechnology and life-sciences patent applications
• Develop domestic and international portfolio strategies
• Interview scientists and analyse complex inventions
• Prepare responses to office actions and examiner communications
• Conduct prior-art and patentability analysis
• Coordinate foreign prosecution and international counsel
• Support diligence, freedom-to-operate and strategic counselling
• Manage portfolio deadlines and client reporting
• Work directly with research teams and in-house legal functions

Skills

Scientific writing

Analytical thinking

Organisational skills

Client-service abilities

Education

Ph.D. or advanced degree in biology/biochemistry/bioinformatics/chemistry

Admission to the California Bar

Job description

Watts & Associates, a premier Am Law 50 firm, is seeking a Life Sciences Patent Associate to join its San Francisco, CA office. You will engage in patent preparation, prosecution and portfolio strategy for biotechnology and life-sciences innovations, collaborating with partners and senior lawyers on high-value matters.

The ideal candidate has 1–4 years of patent experience, a strong scientific background in biology or related fields, and excellent writing and analytical skills.