Patent Agent in Durham

Invaio Sciences is seeking a creative, hands-on Patent Agent who will work closely with cross-functional R&D teams to protect and advance the company’s innovation pipeline. This position partners closely with scientific leadership to identify, evaluate, and secure intellectual property arising from cutting-edge research areas. As a key individual contributor within a small biotech organization, the Patent Agent will take a hands-on approach to patent drafting and IP portfolio management and strategy. The ideal candidate brings 3-5 years of patent experience, strong scientific fluency, and the ability to work independently in a dynamic, resource-conscious environment. This role offers meaningful exposure to the full lifecycle of innovation—from early discovery through commercialization—and the opportunity to influence IP practices as the company scales. The Patent Agent will balance legal rigor with scientific creativity and business pragmatism, supporting the company’s mission to deliver impactful agricultural solutions.

This position would ideally be based in our Research Triangle Park, NC or Cambridge, MA offices but there is a possibility to be remote for the right candidate.

What you'll do:

• Draft & file U.S. and international patent applications related to AgTech and biotechnology innovations, including plant traits, microbial products, agricultural biologics, and enabling platforms.
• Collaborate closely with internal scientific teams and R&D leaders to identify inventions, conduct invention disclosure interviews and translate complex scientific concepts into high-quality patent applications.
• Partner with external counsel to support foreign patent filings, PCT applications, and jurisdiction-specific prosecution strategies, ensuring alignment with company IP objectives.
• Maintain and help shape Invaio’s patent portfolio including tracking deadlines, prosecution status, and strategic gaps or opportunities.
• Support the broader IP strategy by contributing to patent landscape reviews, freedom-to-operate assessments, and competitive intelligence efforts.
• Stay current on developments in patent law, AgTech innovation trends, and relevant regulatory or industry changes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant scientific discipline, such as Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related life sciences field.
• Registered Patent Agent in good standing with the USPTO.
• 3-5 years of experience in drafting U.S. and international patent applications.
• At least 1 year law firm experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting technologies relevant to AgTech and biotechnology, including plant traits, microbial products, agriculture biologics, or related platforms.
• Strong technical writing and analytical skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex scientific concepts in patent applications and correspondence.
• Experience managing patent portfolios, coordinating with outside counsel, and interfacing with internal scientific teams.
• Working knowledge of U.S. patent law and procedures, and familiarity with foreign patent prosecution practices.

What's next:

Invaio is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a proactive program of diversity development. Invaio will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or veteran status.

The estimated salary range for this position is $108,000 - $149,000 per year. At Invaio, we are committed to transparency and accuracy in our hiring practices. Our salary offers are aligned with Invaio’s compensation philosophy and take into account various factors, including education, training, experience, external market conditions, the criticality of the role, and internal equity. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local wage requirements for the job location.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Invaio Sciences, Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Invaio Sciences, Inc. or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Invaio Sciences, Inc.’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Invaio Sciences, Inc., and Invaio Sciences, Inc. will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.