Associate Director – Patent Research

Eli Lilly and Company

Associate Director of Patent Research at Lilly, enhancing legal services in global patent operations. Collaborating with patent attorneys and scientists in drug discovery and competitive analysis.

Posted 6/5/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $127,500 - $204,600 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop effective search queries and perform competitive intelligence, landscape, FTO, and patentability searches; closely collaborate with scientists and attorneys to develop strategies for definitive searches.
Proactively analyze and organize search findings; report organized findings to attorneys to inform landscape, patentability, exclusivity and FTO strategies.
Provide the above to support due diligence of external assets.
Obtain, create, organize, analyze, and maintain information relating to research, development, and commercialization activities, competitive intelligence, prior art, exclusivity, FTO, agreements, product characteristics, and advice.
Mastery of computer-based, IP related tools relied upon by the patent team, including supporting the development of artificial intelligence-based tools for collection and analysis of competitive intelligence data and technical analysis of the data to support competitor landscape, FTO, and patentability assessments.

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S. degree or higher in chemistry or biological science (advanced degree preferred)
At least 2 years of experience in patent law either at a law firm or in-house position
At least 2 years of searching or technical experience relating to drug discovery and / or development of pharmaceutical products
Fluent in nomenclature conventions used to describe organic chemical compounds and biological drug products
Ability to master new bodies of knowledge, such as significant aspects of global patent law and regulatory law, as well as new IT and operational systems
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to influence others
Demonstrated commitment to expand knowledge and adapt to a changing environment
Excellent attention to detail
Strong project management skills and ability to appropriately prioritize and self-manage, including the ability to manage multiple projects with multiple attorney partners
Ability to influence, challenge, and work on cross-functional teams and at different levels
Ability to work productively and successfully as an individual contributor and team member

Benefits

Comp & perks

Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k)
Pension
Vacation benefits
Eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits
Flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
Life insurance and death benefits
Certain time off and leave of absence benefits
Well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

search queriescompetitive intelligencepatentability searchesdata analysistechnical analysisdrug discoverypharmaceutical developmentnomenclature conventionsglobal patent lawregulatory law

Soft Skills

written communicationverbal communicationinfluenceattention to detailproject managementprioritizationself-managementcross-functional teamworkadaptabilitycommitment to learning

Certifications

B.S. degree in chemistryB.S. degree in biological scienceadvanced degree in relevant field