Patent Agent, Molecular Biology

About the Role

10x is looking for an outstanding Patent Agent to join the Legal team to tackle our ambitious and growing portfolio. 10x Genomics is looking to expand in exciting areas of single-cell, spatial, and in situ analysis. We are seeking entrepreneurial, motivated, and experienced patent agents to play a primary role with the company’s strategic IP efforts worldwide. Our patent agents are critical members in supporting 10x Genomics’ business in connection with IP portfolio objectives, management, and contribute on an individual basis to patent prosecution.

What you will be doing

• Strategic contributor to the drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of 10x’s worldwide patent portfolio.
• Provide hands-on direction and input to outside counsel, and to draft/review a wide variety of work products, including patent applications and office action responses.
• Contribute to global patent strategy with a focus on alignment of the patent portfolio with 10x’s business needs, priorities, and resources.
• Interact with R&D at all levels, including group leaders and team members, to identify patent-worthy inventions and secure patents on 10x innovations.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders across internal teams, including R&D, product management, marketing, and legal.
• Strategic contributor to IP due diligence, technology assessments, and FTO analyses in potential strategic transactions (including M&A, licensing, and financing).
• Assist 10x counsel and outside counsel on IP-related proceedings, challenges, disputes, and litigation.

Minimum Requirements:

• 3+ years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in a law firm or in-house in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, or biotechnology.
• Admission to the United States Patent & Trademark Office Bar.
• Solid knowledge of global intellectual property laws & practices.
• Application and knowledge in any of the areas of life science tools, molecular biology assays, genomic analyses.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a biotech-related discipline, such as cell or molecular biology, genomics, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, or cancer biology. Advanced degree preferred.
• Experienced in managing complex patent portfolios & strategies and developing commercially-relevant patent assets.
• Strong aptitude for learning and working with a range of technologies; and a willingness to learn and engage with 10X employees and outside counsel in multiple technology areas.
• Excellent writing, communication, organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to strategically educate and support fellow employees.
• Self-directed and proactive, and comfortable executing on multiple projects independently and in collaboration with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing outside counsel.
• Experience with NGS and other life science tools is a strong plus.
• Experience in adverse proceedings (e.g., litigation, USPTO proceedings, EPO oppositions).