Job Description

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs.

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. 

Job Description

The Syngenta Intellectual Property Department is made up of dedicated and skilled professionals working together in a supportive atmosphere to achieve Syngenta’s business goals. We are looking for a Patent Attorney who will play a proactive role in implementing IP strategies, managing transactions, and overseeing operations while collaborating with colleagues in legal, licensing, Research & Development, and commercial areas, all in adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and Syngenta's policies.

This role will cover all facets of IP law, focusing on developing IP strategies and optimizing value, drafting patent applications, filing and prosecuting patents globally, mitigating risks, advising clients, assessing patent validity and infringement issues, enforcing IP rights, monitoring third-party IP activities, preparing and reviewing contracts, and managing an IP portfolio. This position will be based at Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC in Research Triangle Park, NC, and will support both local and remote teams across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Accountabilities:

• Partnering effectively across functions both locally and globally is critical. A key challenge is engaging with the various businesses, R&D, and Legal teams, while supporting both local teams at the RTP, NC site and remote teams in other parts of the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
• Develop a solid understanding of Syngenta’s business, patent portfolio, and the key issues related to assigned areas of responsibility and the agility to adapt quickly to changing priorities and organizational structures.
• Collaborate with business and technical teams, along with global Legal/IP colleagues, to identify and safeguard Syngenta's IP interests, mitigate risks, and address freedom-to-operate and IP enforcement issues. Identify potential infringements of the company's intellectual property and contribute to the formulation of enforcement strategies.
• Provide hands-on patent drafting, prosecution, and management of own docket.
• Actively establish the IP strategy for designated responsibilities, routinely assess patent portfolio to maximize IP protection and value capture for company projects and assess company’s competitive IP position and anticipate moves by company’s competitors.
• Develop strategies to prolong patent life and exclusivity for both products under development and those already commercialized.
• Proactive contributor to the IP team, focusing on high-quality work and fostering strong internal and external collaborations, all while ensuring accountability and adaptability.
• Collaborate with the non-IP legal team to provide document review and legal advice on intellectual property issues.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree and admitted to a State Bar.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• M.S. or Ph.D or equivalent experience in life sciences, preferably in Genomics, Molecular Biology, Plant.
• Molecular Biology, Plant Genetics or Biochemistry. Experience in the Agriculture industry is a plus.
• Minimum of 1 to 5 years of life science patent experience (experience in the agricultural field, including drafting and prosecuting in plant biotechnology, genome editing and/or marker assisted breeding subject matter areas is a plus).
• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Law firm, Patent Office, or in-house experience is a plus. Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Additional Information

What We Offer: 

• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution. 
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits. 

Syngenta has been ranked as a  top employer by Science Journal. 
Learn more about our  team and our mission here:  

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

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