Patent Counsel

Merck & Co.; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 331,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

Merck & Co. seeks a Patent Counsel to identify inventions with our R&D teams and draft and prosecute patent applications for biopharmaceutical platforms. The role engages with discovery, development, manufacturing, regulatory, and business development globally.

The candidate will have a law degree, USPTO bar admission, 5+ years pharma patent experience, and a strong chemistry/biology background, with excellent communication and analytical skills. Hybrid in MA/NJ.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences.
• Graduate of an accredited US law school.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia.
• Five or more years drafting and prosecuting pharmaceutical or biological patent applications.
• Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop patenting strategy with product development teams to build robust IP portfolios.
• Draft and prosecute patent applications for Company products and platform technologies globally.
• Support oppositions and other proceedings with internal litigation colleagues.
• Collaborate with in-house patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations and support staff.
• Conduct freedom to operate analyses for R&D activities.
• Support IP due diligence in business development activities and negotiations.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required.

Skills

Patent drafting

Prosecution experience

US patent law

Bar admission

USPTO registration

Chem/biol sciences

Communication

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological/pharmaceutical/chemical sciences

Juris Doctor (US law degree)

Job description

Are you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law, especially how to efficiently capture innovation with intellectual property, incentivize continued R&D and drive access to life-saving medicines for patients? If so, the Patent Counsel role at our Company could be an ideal opportunity for you. We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our team in New Jersey or Massachusetts.

In this role, you will work directly with our internal R&D team to identify inventions, conduct patentability assessments, and draft and prosecute patent applications for novel chemical sciences inventions.-The position will support programs in all phases of development, from discovery through development and commercialization, and allows for the support of programs in areas (including different therapeutic areas and modalities). This role also provides exposure to and interaction with major areas of the business including discovery, development, manufacturing, and supply, regulatory, business development, commercial groups, and other legal functions.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Working independently through product development teams to devise a patenting strategy with the goal of building robust portfolios of intellectual property for cutting-edge biopharmaceutical products;
• Drafting and prosecuting patent applications related to our Company's products, product candidates and platform technologies on a global basis;
• Working with internal litigation colleagues to support oppositions, or other proceedings related to your supported programs;
• Working with a large team of in-house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations and support staff, and local agents;
• Conducting freedom to operate analyses for our Company's R&D activities; and
• Actively supporting various business development activities (e.g., research collaborations and acquisitions) by conducting IP due diligence on assets or technology of interest, counseling the business as to IP expectations, and supporting the drafting and negotiation of related agreements, all while working with a team of scientific, legal and commercial functions.
• Some domestic and international travel may be required.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited institution; and
• Graduate of an accredited US law school.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO;
• Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia;
• Five (5) or more years of experience as an attorney in a law firm or corporate setting, drafting and prosecuting pharmaceutical or biological patent applications (Note: time accrued as a practicing patent agent may be considered);
• Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences; and
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Advanced degree in the biological or chemical sciences;
• Experience in counseling clients on intellectual property issues;
• Experience prioritizing work and leveraging resources to manage a significant workload;
• Ability to build partnerships and work in cross-functional teams;
• Ability to communicate competently and confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders;
• Ability to exercise judgment to drive decisions on routine and non-routine matters within areas of practice; and
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative.

San Francisco Residents Only:

-We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Los Angeles Residents Only:

-We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

The salary range for this role is $210,400.00 - $331,100.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. - Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits .

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 10/30/2026

Requisition ID: R404306