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Patent Biology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Direct Counsel

Patent Agent (Biology)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $240K/yr

Location San Francisco, CA Position Overview The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in patent prosecution and a technical background in biology, biochemistry, or a related field

SagePaths

Patent Attorney

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$170K/yr

Patent Attorney - Life Sciences (Biotech / Pharma) Location: Boston, US Overview A highly regarded ... Molecular biology, genetics, therapeutics * Diagnostics, antibodies, gene therapy Qualifications

Foundation Medicine

Senior Patent Agent

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$106K - $132K/yr

About the Job: Sr Patent Agent supports Foundation Medicine's global patent portfolio across ... S. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology ...

Merck & Co.

Patent Counsel

Rahway, NJ · On-site

Patent AttorneyAre you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law ... Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited ...

Merck & Co., Inc.

Patent Counsel

Rahway, NJ · On-site

Patent Attorney Are you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law ... Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited ...

MSD

Patent Counsel

Rahway, NJ · On-site

Patent Attorney Are you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law ... Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited ...

MSD

Patent Counsel

Cambridge, MA

Patent Attorney Are you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law ... Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited ...

MSD

Patent Counsel

Rahway, NJ · On-site

Patent Attorney Are you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law ... Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited ...

Merck & Co.

Patent AttorneyAre you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law ... Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited ...

NxT Level

Patent Prosecution Associate

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$235K - $390K/yr

Our client's Patent Group is renowned for its excellence, having been named Patent Prosecution Firm ... PhD (or MD) in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology ...

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Patent Biology information

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$41.5K

$92.8K

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How much do patent biology jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent biology in the United States is $92,823.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a patent biology?

A Patent Biology job involves working at the intersection of biology and intellectual property law, focusing on protecting biotechnological inventions. Professionals in this role analyze scientific discoveries, draft and prosecute patent applications, and assess the novelty and patentability of biological innovations. They often collaborate with researchers, legal experts, and patent offices to secure intellectual property rights. This role typically requires a strong background in biology or a related field, along with an understanding of patent law and regulations.

What are the typical responsibilities of a patent biology professional?

A Patent Biology professional is primarily responsible for drafting and reviewing patent applications related to biological inventions, analyzing scientific research to determine its patentability, and conducting thorough prior art searches. On a typical day, you may collaborate with inventors, research scientists, and patent attorneys to clarify technical details and support the patent prosecution process. Additionally, you might respond to examiner communications, manage patent portfolios, and stay updated on relevant regulations and technological advancements. This role often involves both independent analytical work and collaborative problem-solving within interdisciplinary teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed for patent biology?

To thrive in Patent Biology, you need a strong background in biological sciences combined with knowledge of intellectual property law, typically supported by an advanced degree in biology and, ideally, a patent agent certification. Familiarity with patent databases, scientific literature search tools, and patent application management systems is important. Exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly are valued soft skills in this role. These qualifications ensure accuracy in drafting, evaluating, and prosecuting patent applications, while facilitating effective collaboration between scientists, legal teams, and regulatory bodies.

What are high paying jobs in patent biology?

High-paying jobs in patent biology include roles such as patent attorney or patent agent specializing in biological inventions, often requiring a background in biology and a law degree or patent bar admission. These positions typically involve patent drafting, prosecution, and litigation, with salaries ranging from $100,000 to over $200,000 annually depending on experience and location. Advanced expertise in biotechnology, strong communication skills, and familiarity with patent law are essential for these high-paying roles.
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What states have the most Patent Biology jobs?

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Patent Biology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patent Biology job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,823 per year, or $44.6 per hour.

Patent Agent (Biology)

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Direct Counsel
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Direct Counselexternal

$180K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Patent Agent

Direct Counsel is seeking a Patent Agent with at least 3 years of patent prosecution experience to join a leading global law firm and its Intellectual Property and Technology practice.

Location

San Francisco, CA

Position Overview

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in patent prosecution and a technical background in biology, biochemistry, or a related field. Additional experience with software or software patents is a plus.

This position offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated patent matters, including U.S. and international prosecution strategies, patent opinions, and broader intellectual property counseling.

Responsibilities
  • Draft, file, and prosecute U.S. patent applications.
  • Manage and coordinate international patent application strategies.
  • Prepare patentability, non-infringement, and invalidity opinions.
  • Support intellectual property counseling matters.
  • Independently manage patent matters and advance cases through prosecution.
  • Develop and implement effective patent prosecution strategies.
  • Collaborate with attorneys, patent agents, and other professionals on complex intellectual property matters.
  • Manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Qualifications
  • At least 3 years of patent law and patent prosecution experience.
  • Demonstrated experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
  • Registration and good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office required.
  • Undergraduate degree in biology, biochemistry, or a related field required; an advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline is preferred.
  • Additional experience with software or software patents is a plus.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Excellent judgment, analytical abilities, and attention to detail.
  • Ability to independently manage matters and move cases forward.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and within a collaborative team environment.
  • Self-starter with the ability to prioritize workload and perform effectively under pressure.
Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is $180,000–$240,000 annually, depending on skills and experience.

Application Requirements

Candidates should be prepared to submit a resume, unofficial law school transcript, and recent writing sample of no more than 10 pages. A cover page should accompany the writing sample describing the submitted piece and any modifications made from its original format.