Science Advisor/Patent Agent - Chemistry

Job Overview

A law firm seeks a Science Advisor/Patent Agent in San Francisco to join its Life Sciences Business Unit and Intellectual Property Transactions & Strategies Group. This role is ideal for individuals with a strong scientific background and a passion for innovation, eager to apply their expertise in a dynamic legal setting supporting clients in the life sciences sector.

Duties

• Draft patent applications, including detailed specifications and claims.
• Perform prior art searches and freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Evaluate scientific inventions for patentability and infringement risks.
• Support IP due diligence in mergers, acquisitions, and licensing.
• Conduct IP landscape and competitive intelligence analyses.
• Advise on patent portfolio development and management.
• Manage clients' patent portfolios and prepare responses to office actions.
• Collaborate with attorneys and clients to align IP strategies with business goals.

Requirements

• Strong academic credentials with technical writing and communication skills.
• Familiarity with U.S. and international patent law, especially in life sciences.
• Eligibility to sit for the USPTO registration examination if not registered.

Education

• M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent advanced degree in Chemistry preferred.

Certifications

• Admission to practice before the USPTO is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Proactive and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects.

This international firm covers the full range of corporate law practices, and specializes in niche fields such as transportation, food, and carbon markets; its four offices in the state give the firm a strong presence in California. Attorneys in this firm take an entrepreneurial approach to minimizing risks and maximizing outcomes for leading corporations and investors, and are equally comfortable in the courtroom or the conference room.