Senior Patent Agent

Bring more to life.

Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?

At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. 

You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.

At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you’ll get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development. Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world.

Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.

The Senior Patent Agent is responsible for partnering with R&D, manufacturing, and other business and legal stakeholders to develop and execute strategies to protect and perfect Cepheid’s intellectual property. The role will help encourage and sustain innovation across Cepheid.

This position reports to the Deputy Chief IP Counsel and is part of the legal department and will be fully remote based in the US.    

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Integrate with R&D teams to learn about our molecular diagnostic technologies and manufacturing processes and identify key IP opportunities while enabling innovative protection strategies.
• Provide a full range of patent support functions, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the molecular diagnostics space, biochemistry, conducting freedom-to-operate studies (e.g., infringement and validity analyses), and advising internal stakeholders, including providing IP diligence for M&A and related activities.
• Direct outside counsel on global patent filing and prosecution matters.
• Prepare and present training materials to business stakeholders to bolster invention disclosure, trade secret protection, and intellectual property protection efforts.
• As a member of the IP team within Cepheid’s legal team, manage and/or participate in projects impacting Cepheid as a whole.

The essential requirements of the job include:

• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Agent, with hands-on experience in patent preparation and prosecution in the molecular biology or life sciences field.

• At least 4 years of patent prosecution experience in the life sciences field, preferably in molecular biology, biochemistry, molecular diagnostics, or related disciplines, gained in a law firm, patent boutique, and/or in-house setting.
• A bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, genetics, or a closely related life sciences discipline, with preference for an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in molecular biology or a related field.

Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements: if applicable for role

• May require occasional domestic travel for in-person meetings and events up to 5% of the time

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Deep technical understanding of molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, nucleic acid amplification, and next gen sequencing) and the ability to translate complex science into clear patent claims.
• Artificial intelligence/machine learning, including the use of AI tools in IP practice (search/claim and application drafting/claim charting/office action response, etc.) and the application within bioinformatics, data analytics, genomics and molecular diagnostics.
• Ability to think creatively, devise patent strategies for novel inventions, effectively drive IP issues to closure; self-directed and proactive with excellent writing, communication, organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info.

At Cepheid we believe in designing a better, more sustainable workforce. We recognize the benefits of flexible, remote working arrangements for eligible roles and are committed to providing enriching careers, no matter the work arrangement. This position is eligible for a remote work arrangement in which you can work remotely from your home. Additional information about this remote work arrangement will be provided by your interview team. Explore the flexibility and challenge that working for Cepheid can provide.

The annual salary range for this role is $150,000-190,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including flexible time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.

For more information, visit www.danaher.com.

Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.

The U.S. EEO posters are available here.

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We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact:1-202-419-7762 or applyassistance@danaher.com.