Associate Director, U.S. Patent Agent

Associate Director, U.S. Patent Agent

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The Associate Director, U.S. Patent Agent will play a critical role in shaping and protecting the company’s intellectual property portfolio. This individual will support patent prosecution, portfolio management, and broader IP strategy, working closely with cross-functional teams and external counsel. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in U.S. patent law, particularly within the biotech or pharmaceutical sectors, and a passion for collaborating with world-class scientists.

Your role

Key Responsibilities
  • Managing the Company’s U.S. patent portfolio, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications and drafting responses to Office Actions.
  • Developing and providing internal training on U.S. IP matters.
  • Contributing to technology landscape reviews, freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments, validity analyses, and development of IP opinions.
  • Collaborating with R&D and Clinical teams to identify potential new inventions, coordinating patent filings and prosecution, and protecting Company trade secrets.
  • Working closely with senior attorneys and external counsel to align U.S. patent prosecution with global IP strategy.
Additional Responsibilities
  • Providing U.S.-specific legal guidance in the context of broader IP strategy development.
  • Assisting in IP due diligence in connection with existing and prospective collaboration agreements, and business development opportunities. 
  • Supporting IP litigation efforts, including working with experts, assisting in factual development, deposition and witness preparation, reviewing pleadings, technology review, and development of case strategy.
  • Collaborating with senior attorneys and outside counsel on preparation for hearings, court proceedings and motion practice.
  • Contributing to the refinement of internal IP processes and policies to support a growing pharmaceutical enterprise

Your profile

  • USPTO-registered U.S. Patent Agent with significant experience in biotech/pharma IP prosecution and strategy.
  • Advanced degree in biological sciences, immunology, molecular biology, or a related discipline strongly preferred.
  • Preferred minimum of 5 years of experience in patent law, preferably within an in-house biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
  • Proven track record of working effectively with scientists and legal teams to protect cutting-edge technologies.
  • Strong understanding of U.S. IP laws, practices, and procedures, with ability to translate complex scientific concepts into robust IP protections.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Our offer

We offer an exciting opportunity to work with some of the best and brightest in the biotech industry. As part of Merus, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with an exceptional international team of people who are passionate about what they do. To top it off, we offer a highly competitive total rewards package (benefits and compensation), training that is tailored to your individual development, and career opportunities that match your ambitions. Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to join us as we close in on cancer – everything you do matters at Merus.

Apply now

    Our Hiring Process

    Stage 1:

    Internal Review

    This means that we’ve received your application and are in the process of reviewing it.

    Stage 2:

    Initial Call

    We’ll set up a 15-minute phone call with our Internal Recruiter to discuss the details of this job opportunity and your own expectations of the role, as well as Merus as a company.

    Stage 3:

    1st Interview Phase

    During the 1st interview phase, we’ll set up an interview with your potential future manager. We’ll be looking to understand more about your experience, how that fits the role, and what makes you tick.

    Stage 4:

    2nd Interview Phase

    If things are still looking good, we’ll set up several short interviews with team members, peers, Management Team members (where relevant) and HR to make sure we are a good cultural fit. We do our best to plan these interviews on the same day, although on rare occasions they’ll take place on multiple days.

    Stage 5:

    Job Offer

    After positive evaluation from both sides, you will receive our job offer. Once you’ve accepted it, we will draw up the necessary paperwork. You will receive your contract within 3-5 working days and your onboarding process will start!

    Stage 6:

    Welcome

    We’re more than happy to welcome you to join Merus in our pursuit to close in on cancer!

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    Merus is an equal employment opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, disability or perceived disability, qualified handicap, gender identity, military status, veteran status, certain criminal records, genetic information or testing, HIV testing, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws (each, a "Protected Characteristic"). We are dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

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