Patent Searcher

Thornton Tomasetti; Illinois; On-site; USD 78,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott is a global healthcare leader focused on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generics. The IP Research Information Scientist role supports Abbott businesses by discovering and analyzing information from clinical, biomedical, and patent literature to inform strategy and innovation.

You will develop patent search strategies, identify relevant third-party patents, and communicate insights through visualizations and deliverables to support decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific or engineering field is required.
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Responsibilities

• Conduct Freedom to Operate (FTO), patentability, and other IP research projects.

Skills

Patent searching

Competitive intelligence

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analytics

AI / NLP familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a scientific or engineering field

Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science degree

Tools

Patent/search databases

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Abbott Park: Lake County IL (other locations: Santa Clara, CA, Alameda, CA, Chicago, IL, Plymouth, MN, or St. Paul, MN).

As an IP Research Information Scientist, you will support Abbott businesses by managing legal risks through the discovery, analysis, and application of information from clinical, biomedical, and patent literature sources, leveraging advanced research, analytics, and information management methodologies.

Working as part of the Abbott Research Center (ARC), Abbott’s corporate library, you will collaborate with other ARC functions, the Legal IP department, and fellow IP researchers to develop patent search strategies, identify relevant third‑party patents, and communicate findings through visualizations, presentations, and other deliverables that support strategy, decision‑making, and innovation.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct Freedom to Operate (FTO), patentability, and other IP research projects supporting Abbott business units.
• Develop and implement patent search strategies, analyze findings, and communicate insights to IP attorneys and business stakeholders.
• Identify emerging technologies, patent trends, competitive threats, and innovation opportunities through patent and scientific research.
• Apply data science, analytics, AI, and information management methodologies to solve complex IP and competitive intelligence challenges.
• Develop and evaluate novel applications of analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, visualization, and AI to advance patent intelligence, competitive intelligence, and innovation insights.
• Create visualizations, dashboards, landscapes, and other research deliverables that support strategic decision‑making across Abbott.
• Evaluate and integrate new IP research technologies, including AI‑enabled tools, to improve research effectiveness, knowledge sharing, and insight generation.
• Assess technologies, patent portfolios, and third‑party intellectual property relevant to Abbott products.
• Partner and collaborate with cross‑functional teams across Legal, R&D, and ARC to support innovation, product development, and risk‑management initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific or engineering field
• Minimum 3 years patent and/or scientific literature searching experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare, or related industry
• Minimum 3 years of experience analyzing competitive intelligence and developing corresponding IP strategy

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in medical devices or similar health care products, especially those involving digital/software solutions
• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline, with demonstrated ability to understand and analyze electrical, software, firmware, AI, connectivity, and digital health technologies
• Experience applying analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, AI, or other advanced information technologies to research, competitive intelligence, knowledge management, or related business challenges
• Registered patent agent with USPTO
• Proven ability to perform successfully in cross‑functional teams
• Experience analyzing competitive intelligence and developing corresponding IP strategy

Benefits and Compensation

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

Job Family and Division

JOB FAMILY: Operations & Business Support DIVISION: GENC General Counsel LOCATION: United States > Abbott Park : AP06B ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: United States > Alameda : 2601 Harbor Bay Parkway, United States > Chicago : Willis Tower Building 233 S Wacker Dr., United States > Minnesota > Plymouth : 5050 Nathan Lane N, United States > Minnesota > St. Paul > Lillehei : One Lillehei Plaza, United States > Santa Clara : Building A - SC

Travel and Work Shift

WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 5 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Additional Information

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce. Follow Us: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Twitter