Senior IP Counsel

Summary

Join Natera as a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel (IP) and play a critical role in protecting the company's investment in research and development across various areas, including bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, genetic testing, and data processing. You will provide strategic IP advice, build Natera's patent portfolio, understand the competitive landscape, manage litigation, support commercial transactions, and optimize IP systems. This position requires a degree in a relevant scientific field and at least 8 years of related experience, including 6-8 years in IP. Preference will be given to candidates with a law degree and registration with the relevant attorney bar and USPTO. Remote work may be possible, but preference is given to candidates near Natera sites in California. Natera offers competitive benefits, including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans, free testing for employees and their families, fertility care benefits, pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, and more.

Requirements

• Degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Bioengineering, AI/Machine Learning, or Applied Mathematics preferred
• Will also consider Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Biochemistry, depending on the overall needs of the business
• Registered and in good standing with the relevant attorney bar (mandatory) and the USPTO (preferred)
• Minimum 8 years of related experience with 6 - 8 years of experience in the IP field (will consider advanced degree holders with slightly less experience)
• Uses a sophisticated understanding of IP law and the company's business objectives to advise colleagues and to develop and implement IP strategy
• Develops and deploys robust company IP policies and infrastructure
• Accepts feedback in a positive and constructive manner to improve competencies
• Strong sense of personal accountability
• Highly effective written and oral communicator

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic IP advice to enable business objectives worldwide
• Capture new innovation and build Natera’s patent portfolio, including through strategic patent drafting and prosecution
• Understand the competitive landscape and identify opportunities and mitigation threats, with particular focus on bioinformatics, AI, and machine learning in the health care space
• Manage or support litigation and mitigate risk in both litigation and pre-litigation contexts
• Support licensing, M&A, and other commercial transactions
• Assist in the development and optimization of  company IP systems and infrastructure
• Perform other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with patent prosecution, freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis, prior art searching and patent challenge procedures and practice, including inter-partes review (IPRs) and patent invalidation in administrative and judicial proceedings preferred
• May work remotely, although preference will be given to candidates co-located in California near relevant Natera sites and personnel

Benefits

• Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents
• Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits
• Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more
• We also offer a generous employee referral program!