Job Description
Position Description:
Patent Attorney
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 Attorney 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 Rahway, New Jersey or Boston, 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 biologics and vaccine 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 diverse 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.
Position Qualifications:
Education Minimum Requirement:
A minimum of a bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited institution; and
Graduate of an accredited US law school.
Required Experience and Skills:
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 biologic/vaccine patent applications (Note: time accrued as a practicing patent agent may be considered);
Strong technical background in the 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 in managing a significant workload, with the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously;
Ability to work in cross-functional teams;
Ability to communicate competently and confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders; and
Ability to be proactive and take initiative.
NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS
In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.
If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.
Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
Under New York State, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.
Expected salary range:
$200,200.00 - $315,100.00
Available benefits include bonus eligibility, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. For Washington State Jobs, a summary of benefits is listed here.
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
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
