Watchmaker Genomics

Patent Agent/Attorney

Watchmaker Genomics

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: Remote • Colorado • 🇺🇸 United States

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Salary

💰 $130,000 - $160,000 per year

Job Level

Mid-LevelSenior

About the role

  • Patent Prosecution & IP Management
  • Draft, file, and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications related to enzyme engineering, NGS reagents, kits, and platforms.
  • Collaborate closely with R&D teams to identify inventions, maintain lab notebooks, and conduct invention disclosure reviews.
  • Support freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses and monitor competitor IP landscapes.
  • Coordinate with outside patent counsel and foreign associates to manage global prosecution.
  • Transactional Support
  • Assist legal team in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating: License agreements (in- and out-licensing of IP), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Collaboration and Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs), Supply, distribution, and commercial contracts.
  • Support IP diligence activities for partnerships, M&A, and financings.
  • Strategy & Operation
  • Help refine and implement company-wide IP strategies aligned with business and scientific goals.
  • Support development of IP awareness and training for R&D staff.
  • Track docket deadlines and ensure timely execution of filings and annuities.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or related field.
  • USPTO registration as a Patent Agent.
  • 5–7 years of patent prosecution experience (in-house, law firm, or combination), with life sciences patent drafting and prosecution experience.
  • Familiarity with IP issues in genomics, diagnostics, or enzyme technologies.
  • Strong writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
  • Jurist Doctor with a willingness to collaborate closely with in-house counsel on legal strategy (preferred).
  • Experience with commercial contract drafting or review (NDAs, licenses, MTAs) (preferred).
  • Background in next-generation sequencing or biotech tools (preferred).
  • Prior experience supporting cross-functional legal or BD teams (preferred).
Benefits
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Holidays
  • employer covers 75% of base medical plan with buy-up options
  • EAP (employee assistance program)
  • employer paid dental
  • employer paid vision
  • employer paid $25,000 life/AD&D policy
  • paid parental leave
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% match

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
patent prosecutiondrafting patent applicationsfreedom-to-operate analysisIP diligencecontract negotiationMolecular BiologyBiochemistryGeneticsnext-generation sequencingbiotech tools
Soft skills
strong writing skillsattention to detailcommunication of complex ideascollaborationstrategic thinking
Certifications
USPTO registration as a Patent AgentJurist Doctor