Patent Attorney

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Location: Cambridge or San Diego, United States

If you love the moment when breakthrough science becomes real-world impact, this is your seat at the table. As a Senior Patent Attorney at Novartis, you’ll partner directly with research and development teams to protect cutting-edge inventions, shape smart publication strategies, and build strong intellectual property portfolios that help bring innovative therapies to patients—while confidently navigating third party risk and global patent landscapes.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic intellectual property guidance to research and development teams, protecting inventions and reducing third‑party risk.
• Build and steer patent portfolios aligned to scientific strategy, product milestones, and long‑term value.
• Draft, file, prosecute, and maintain patent applications across United States and international jurisdictions.
• Provide opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate to guide decisions.
• Shape publication and disclosure strategies balancing scientific visibility with robust protection and exclusivity options.
• Lead due diligence, risk evaluation, and mitigation for collaborations, licensing opportunities, and transactional projects.
• Partner with global colleagues and external counsel to deliver quality work on time and budget.

Essential Requirements

• Juris Doctor with admission to a United States state bar and registration with the United States Patent Office.
• PhD in biology, biochemistry, or related life sciences such as molecular biology.
• Seven or more years experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or life sciences company.
• Strong scientific foundation, ideally including hands‑on laboratory experience in biological sciences.
• Expertise in United States and Patent Cooperation Treaty filing and prosecution, with working knowledge of European practice.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder partnering skills; able to influence, prioritize, and deliver accurate work.

Benefits & Rewards

The salary for this position is expected to range between $204.400 and $379.600 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$204,400.00 - $379,600.00

Skills Desired