Life Sciences Patent Attorney
Location: Cambridge (with genuine hybrid/flexible working). We are open to candidates in the London or Oxford areas who can spend time in our Cambridge hub.
How to Apply: We understand that exploring a new role requires absolute discretion. For a confidential, no‑obligation discussion about how your career could look different, please contact Steven Gurney at steven@evolve-ip.com. All contact is held in the strictest confidence. We are not partnering with recruitment agencies for this role because we prefer to invest the recruitment fees directly into our team’s compensation and development. To be considered, please reach out to us directly.
Are you ready for an exciting new challenge? If you are an ambitious life science patent attorney seeking a role that blends the best of in‑house and private practice then we would love to hear from you. Evolve Intellectual Property was founded with a clear purpose: to be a true strategic partner that helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology innovators deliver new medicines and bring hope to patients.
We are a specialist IP firm built differently. We are agile, commercially focused, and deeply integrated into our clients’ missions, so your strategic advice will directly help shape their success.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a firm that is shaping the future of pharmaceutical IP and grow with us.
The Opportunity: Become a True Strategic Partner
This is not a conventional patent attorney role. At Evolve, you will leverage our unique fractional in‑house model to get the immersion of an in‑house counsel alongside the variety of private practice.
- Build authentic relationships with client teams at pioneering life sciences companies, helping them protect the innovations that bring hope to patients.
- Combine a deep understanding of the underlying science, access to business decision making and up‑to‑date legal expertise to provide pragmatic impactful IP strategies that help our clients achieve the best outcomes.
- Draft patent applications, manage European prosecution and global IP portfolios.
- Deliver strategic asset management to secure market exclusivity for critical drug candidates across a range of different clients and technologies. Advise on complex patent portfolios for clients at every stage of development, from early‑stage biotech start‑ups to established pharmaceutical companies.
- Work across cutting‑edge technology areas. Examples include traditional pharmaceuticals, biologics, cell & gene therapy, and AI‑driven drug discovery. Experience true intellectual variety; your week can move fluidly between advising on cell & gene therapy for a biotech start‑up, managing a complex portfolio for a pharma client, and conducting FTO for an AI‑driven drug discovery platform.
- Focus on high‑impact work. Our fractional in‑house model means we focus on strategic work and avoid internal corporate time drains.
- Contribute to a dynamic, fun, collaborative team environment where your insights are valued and your professional growth is a priority.
About You
This role is ideal for a talented attorney from private practice seeking deeper client impact, or an in‑house attorney looking for greater work variety without sacrificing strategic influence.
- Passionate about life science: You care about our core purpose of helping innovators deliver new medicines and bring hope to patients.
- Scientific and pharmaceutical excellence: A strong academic background (preferably PhD) in a life science discipline such as biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, immunology, or a related field.
- Professional qualification: You are a Newly Qualified or Finalist level UK and/or European Patent Attorney.
- Commercial mindset: You see intellectual property not just as a legal right, but as a strategic asset that enables your clients’ mission. You are skilled at translating complex science into clear, pragmatic advice.
- Exceptional communication: You excel at articulating complex scientific and legal ideas with clarity and persuasion. You can tailor your communication to audiences ranging from R&D scientists to the C‑suite.
- Agile approach and future‑focused mindset: You are excited by the prospect of working in a dynamic, responsive environment and are keen to embrace new technologies and processes that deliver better results. You view AI and emerging technologies as powerful tools to enhance strategic advice, not as threats to the profession.
- Collaborative spirit: You thrive in a team where contribution is valued over title and where sharing insights is key to collective success.
What We Offer: The Evolve Advantage
- Unparalleled strategic exposure and high impact work: Gain the integration of an in‑house role with the variety of private practice. This is a unique opportunity to develop a truly holistic skill set. Work directly with the decision‑makers where your contributions will have a clear and measurable impact.
- Trusted autonomy: We trust our team. You will benefit from a culture that prioritises output and self‑management, with a genuine commitment to work‑life balance.
- Professional development: As a recently qualified / finalists standard attorney you have already gained a lot of knowledge, but this is only the start of your ongoing professional development. We will support your continued growth through ongoing mentoring and learning opportunities.
- A modern, collaborative culture: We do not follow the rigid hierarchy of traditional firms. Join a supportive, agile team where you are a key player from day one.
- Merit‑based career path and future: We are, as our clients describe us, “a refreshing change to the traditional patent attorney form approach”. We reward based on capability and impact, not tenure. As a pivotal member of a growing firm, your career trajectory is transparent and tied directly to your contribution.
- A future focused firm: We are built for the future, actively integrating AI and new technologies to enhance our strategic work. We offer a career where you will leverage cutting‑edge tools, not be replaced by them.
- A transparent, modern reward package: Competitive base salary dependent on stage of qualification; transparent bonus scheme where your contribution to the firm’s success is directly rewarded; industry‑leading 30‑day holiday allowance (plus bank holidays); genuine, trust‑based commitment to flexible and hybrid working.
Evolve Intellectual Property is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
For more information, please contact: Steven Gurney (steven@evolve-ip.com)
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