Patent Agent - Research

The Jackson Laboratory; Bar Harbor (ME); Hybrid; USD 106,020 - 153,729; Full time

Job summary

The Jackson Laboratory is seeking a Patent Agent - Research to safeguard and strategically manage its IP portfolio. You will work with researchers to identify patentable inventions, draft and prosecute applications, and coordinate with counsel.

The role emphasizes collaboration with faculty and cross-functional teams to maximize IP value. Ideal candidates will have USPTO registration with 5+ years of patent experience, and a PhD in genetics or a related life science.

Qualifications

• Registered to practice before the USPTO with at least 5 years of experience in patent drafting and prosecution.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic portfolio consulting to advise inventors and research teams.
• Review invention disclosures and conduct patent landscape searches.
• Draft and prosecute patent applications and coordinate with outside counsel.
• Manage IP processes and align patent strategy with organizational goals.
• Track and report patent progress, milestones, and budgeting to stakeholders.
• Deliver IP training and educate staff to build IP awareness.

Skills

Patent drafting

IP strategy

Portfolio management

Oral presentations

Education

PhD in genetics/molecular biology/immunology

MS in life sciences (optional)

Job description

Tasked with safeguarding the intangible assets of JAX, Patent Agent - Research will identify, capture, maintain, and protect intellectual property rights. This is a unique opportunity to substantially leverage client and strategic portfolio management skills while building and streamlining IP processes to drive efficiencies. The role is crucial to helping researchers navigate complex intellectual property landscapes and develop strategies to secure and enforce IP rights of JAX Research that align with organizational goals and maximize value.

A strong candidate can demonstrate the ability to apply scientific expertise together with commercial and legal considerations to support short- and long-term objectives. Outgoing, proactive, and approachable with JAX faculty. Excellent communicator, who is comfortable conducting oral presentations and has experience with academic investigators is required. Ability to work independently. Exhibits intellectual curiosity.

Requirements

Registered to practice before the USPTO with at least 5 years of experience in patent drafting and prosecution (in-house and/or IP law firm).

Preferred - PhD in genetics, molecular or cell biology, immunology, cell physiology/biophysics, biochemistry or a comparable life science field with any applicable prior research and/or product development experience.

Considered - MS in genetics, molecular or cell biology, immunology, cell physiology/biophysics, biochemistry, or a comparable life science field with at least 4 years applicable prior research and/or product development experience.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Strong client interface, collaboration, and strategic portfolio consulting skills. Partner closely with research teams and cross-functionally (e.g., research, business development) to provide strategic, proactive, and practical guidance regarding intellectual property opportunities, strategies, and risk. Present and engaged in research reviews and retreats.

• Support day-to-day IP needs of JAX Researchers across a variety of scientific disciplines. Keep a pulse on workstreams, collaborations, and publications. Strong awareness of timing (when to disclose, file, publish, engage third parties, etc.). Able to identify issues and engage stakeholders when relevant.

• Assist in the review of invention disclosures and patent landscape searches. Able to weigh pros/cons of the various forms of IP protection with organizational goals in light of the overarching landscape. Influence and engage inventors on their support and collaboration in pursuit of the recommended IP protection strategy/ approach.

• Collaborate with inventors to gather and provide appropriate guidance on technical details, drawings, and experimental data to deliver optimal patent protection.

• Demonstrated ability in setting IP portfolio strategy and implementing through effective patent drafting and prosecution. Advise and actively manage strategy, drafting, prosecution, and maintenance of patent matters (both directly and with outside counsel). Support regular portfolio review sessions and occasionally prune the portfolio to align with organizational initiatives.

• Conduct patent searches for prior art, patentability, clearance, and freedom-to-operate analyses, both directly and through management of outside counsel.

• Provide Sponsored Research Administration with patent filing data for annual progress reports, renewal applications, award closeouts, and final invention statements reported in iEdison under the Bayh-Dole Act. Report inventions and patents that have resulted from federally funded research grants/contracts to the funding agency via iEdison.

• Strong attention to detail, organizational, writing, and project management skills.

• Provide educational presentations and other training on IP matters to JAX employees to build an IP savvy culture.

• Reports to the Chief IP Counsel.

• Occasional domestic travel may be required.

This is a hybrid position (2-3 days/week), based in Bar Harbor, ME or Farmington, CT.

Pay Range: $106,020 - $153,729 based on total years of related experience.

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California),Japan andChina. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visitwww.jax.org.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.