Senior Patent Agent (Molecular Diagnostics)

Location: Fully remote, based in the United States; occasional domestic travel for in-person meetings and events may be required, up to 5% of the time.

Annual salary: $150,000–$190,000, plus eligible bonus or incentive pay.

Company

Cepheid is a hirify.global operating company developing fast, accurate molecular diagnostic systems and tests for complex health challenges.

What you will do

• Partner with R&D, manufacturing, business, and legal stakeholders to identify intellectual-property opportunities.
• Draft and prosecute patent applications covering molecular diagnostics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and related technologies.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate studies, including infringement and validity analyses.
• Advise internal stakeholders on intellectual-property diligence for M&A and related activities.
• Direct outside counsel on global patent filing and prosecution matters.
• Prepare training for business stakeholders on invention disclosure, trade-secret protection, and intellectual-property protection.

Requirements

• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Agent, with hands-on patent preparation and prosecution experience in molecular biology or life sciences.
• At least four years of patent prosecution experience in life sciences, preferably in molecular biology, biochemistry, molecular diagnostics, or a related discipline.
• Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, genetics, or a closely related life-sciences discipline.
• Experience may come from a law firm, patent boutique, or in-house legal setting.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree such as an M.S. or Ph.D. in molecular biology or a related field.
• Technical knowledge of PCR, nucleic acid amplification, next-generation sequencing, and related molecular-biology techniques.
• Experience applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to intellectual-property practice, bioinformatics, data analytics, genomics, or molecular diagnostics.
• Creative patent-strategy development, strong writing and communication skills, and the ability to drive intellectual-property issues to closure.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote work from a home office for this eligible role.
• Flexible time off and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) and other competitive employee benefits.
• Career development within a continuous-improvement environment focused on life sciences and diagnostics.