Ph.D. Patent Agent / Technical Specialist — Life Sciences & Chemistry

What if leaving the lab didn't mean leaving science?

You spent years becoming a scientist.

Learning how to ask difficult questions. Working through experiments that didn't behave the way you expected. Diving into unfamiliar literature. Defending your reasoning. Finding the detail everyone else missed. And figuring out what to do when there wasn't an obvious answer.

Those skills have value far beyond the bench.

At Hylton-Rodic Law, we are looking for an exceptional Ph.D.-trained scientist to join our intellectual property practice as a Patent Agent or Technical Specialist.

You may already be practicing patent law.

Or you may be an accomplished scientist beginning to wonder whether there is another way to build a career around the science you love.

We are interested in both.

What matters most to us is the intellectual and professional foundation you bring with you—and what you are capable of becoming.

This Is Not a Role for Someone Who Simply Has a Ph.D.

The degree is required.

But it is only the starting point.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Intellectually curious and genuinely loves understanding how things work;
• Able to absorb complicated science quickly;
• Comfortable moving beyond the narrow boundaries of their own research;
• An exceptional scientific communicator;
• Highly detail-oriented;
• Resourceful when the answer isn't obvious;
• Adaptable when new information changes the problem;
• Comfortable receiving rigorous feedback;
• Driven to produce excellent work; and
• The kind of person who takes ownership rather than waiting to be told every next step.

When you encounter something you don't know, we want your instinct to be:

“How do I figure this out?”

What You'll Do

This is not a narrow drafting position.

You will have the opportunity to work across sophisticated intellectual property matters for innovative life-sciences clients, including:

• Patent application drafting;
• U.S. patent prosecution;
• Foreign prosecution strategy and coordination;
• Inventor interviews and invention harvesting;
• Prior-art and patentability analysis;
• Portfolio management and strategy;
• Patent clearance and freedom-to-operate analysis;
• Technical and claim analysis in support of opinion work; and
• Other strategic IP projects as your capabilities develop.

Your level of responsibility will grow with your demonstrated ability.

We work with sophisticated scientists and companies developing complex technologies. You should eventually be as comfortable talking science with an inventor as you are translating that science into excellent patent work.

Two Ways Into This Role

You're Already a Patent Professional

You may be a Ph.D. Patent Agent or Technical Specialist looking for a practice where your scientific sophistication is central to the value you provide.

For experienced candidates, we are particularly interested in substantive experience with patent drafting and prosecution, inventor interaction, technical analysis, and increasingly independent matter responsibility.

USPTO registration is required for appointment as a Patent Agent.

You're an Exceptional Scientist Considering Patent Law

You may be working in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, academia, a research institution, or a postdoctoral position and considering a transition away from traditional research.

Prior patent-law experience is not required for an exceptional candidate.

We can teach patent practice.

We are much more interested in whether you have the scientific depth, writing ability, curiosity, resilience, judgment, and learning velocity to become excellent at it.

You do not need to have your entire career mapped out before applying.

You do need to be genuinely curious about using your scientific training in a new and demanding way.