Patent Counsel

Responsibilities
- Work with internal R&D to identify inventions, conduct patentability assessments, and draft/prosecute patent applications for novel chemical sciences inventions.
- Develop patenting strategy to build robust IP portfolios for biopharmaceutical products.
- Draft and prosecute patent applications globally for products, product candidates, and platform technologies.
- Support oppositions/other proceedings with internal litigation colleagues.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses for company R&D activities.
- Support business development (e.g., collaborations/acquisitions) via IP due diligence, advising on IP expectations, and supporting drafting/negotiation of related agreements.
- Coordinate with in-house U.S./European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal ops, support staff, and local agents.
- Some domestic/international travel may be required.

Minimum Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biological, pharmaceutical, or chemical sciences (accredited).
- Graduate of an accredited U.S. law school.
- Registered to practice before the USPTO.
- Member in good standing of at least one state Bar or the DC Bar.
- 5+ years as an attorney (law firm or corporate) drafting/prosecuting pharmaceutical/biological patent applications (patent agent experience may count).
- Strong chemical/biological technical background.
- Excellent communication and analytical skills.

Preferred Skills/Experience
- Advanced degree in biological or chemical sciences.
- IP counseling experience; workload prioritization; cross-functional partnership-building; confidence with R&D/business leaders; sound judgment; proactive initiative.

Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline stated on posting).