Patent Counsel
Merck
June 24, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Corporate Functions
Responsibilities:
- Work independently with product development teams to devise patenting strategies and build robust IP portfolios for biopharmaceutical products.
- Draft and prosecute patent applications for company products, product candidates, and platform technologies on a global basis.
- Support oppositions and other proceedings related to supported programs with internal litigation colleagues.
- Work with in-house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations, support staff, and local agents.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses for R&D activities.
- Support business development (e.g., research collaborations and acquisitions) via IP due diligence, counseling on IP expectations, and drafting/negotiating related agreements (in collaboration with scientific, legal, and commercial teams).
- Some domestic and international travel may be required.
Minimum Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in biological, pharmaceutical, or chemical sciences from an accredited institution.
- Graduate of an accredited U.S. law school.
- Registered to practice before the USPTO.
- Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia.
- 5+ years of experience as an attorney (law firm or corporate), drafting/prosecuting pharmaceutical or biological patent applications (practicing patent agent time may be considered).
- Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences.
- Excellent communication and analytical skills.
Preferred Qualifications/Skills:
- Advanced degree in biological or chemical sciences.
- Experience counseling clients on IP issues.
- Ability to prioritize work and leverage resources to manage workload.
- Ability to build partnerships and work in cross-functional teams.
- Ability to communicate confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders.
- Sound judgment on routine and non-routine matters.
- Proactive, initiative-taking.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline stated on posting).
- Work independently with product development teams to devise patenting strategies and build robust IP portfolios for biopharmaceutical products.
- Draft and prosecute patent applications for company products, product candidates, and platform technologies on a global basis.
- Support oppositions and other proceedings related to supported programs with internal litigation colleagues.
- Work with in-house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations, support staff, and local agents.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses for R&D activities.
- Support business development (e.g., research collaborations and acquisitions) via IP due diligence, counseling on IP expectations, and drafting/negotiating related agreements (in collaboration with scientific, legal, and commercial teams).
- Some domestic and international travel may be required.
Minimum Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in biological, pharmaceutical, or chemical sciences from an accredited institution.
- Graduate of an accredited U.S. law school.
- Registered to practice before the USPTO.
- Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia.
- 5+ years of experience as an attorney (law firm or corporate), drafting/prosecuting pharmaceutical or biological patent applications (practicing patent agent time may be considered).
- Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences.
- Excellent communication and analytical skills.
Preferred Qualifications/Skills:
- Advanced degree in biological or chemical sciences.
- Experience counseling clients on IP issues.
- Ability to prioritize work and leverage resources to manage workload.
- Ability to build partnerships and work in cross-functional teams.
- Ability to communicate confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders.
- Sound judgment on routine and non-routine matters.
- Proactive, initiative-taking.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline stated on posting).