Team Lead IP Operations (Patent Agent -Biology/Chemistry) NA - Research Triangle Park, NC

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Job Title: Team Lead IP Operations (Patent Agent -Biology/Chemistry) NA - Research Triangle Park, NC
Location: Remote, OR, West United States, USA

Company: BASF - We Create Chemistry
Industry Sector: Agribusiness
Industry Type: Input Retail, Cooperative and Related Crop Services
Career Type: Operations
Job Type: Full Time

Job Description: Now hiring! Team Lead IP Operations (Patent Agent -Biology/Chemistry) NA - Research Triangle Park, NC

We are looking for a Team Lead IP Operations (Patent Agent - Biology/Chemistry) NA to join our Agricultural Solutions team based in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Come create chemistry with us!

BASF's Agricultural Solutions division connects innovation, customers, partners and agricultural experts and integrates sustainability criteria into all business decisions. We help farmers deliver the best possible outcomes, working to achieve the balance between economic, environmental, and social value creation for sustainable and efficient agriculture.

This role is essential for driving IP Operations in North America for BASF Agricultural Solutions. The individual will need to collaborate and coordinate with the AP Head of Global Operational Excellence IP (Germany) and to Head of IP NA Agricultural Solutions (US). Key responsibilities include managing high-impact relationships, optimizing billing processes and work allocation to US IP law firms, and leading the development and implementation of IP Management System (IPMS) processes in North America.The role also involves identifying efficiencies, ensuring data quality, negotiating fixed fee schedules, and maintaining US law firm engagement policies. Additionally, this role includes senior-level patent agent responsibilities such as consulting or advising on the patentability of inventions, drafting and filing applications or other documents with the USPTO, prosecuting patent applications, drafting and filing public use documents, and handling interference, re-examination proceedings, petitions, appeals, post-grant reviews, or any other proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The individual will also ensure compliance of NA AP IP teams with USPTO IP regulations (e.g., claim drafting, filing processes, etc.).The Team Lead will provide strategic direction to a team of NA IP professionals, including supporting and ensuring continuous skill development, strategically filing, managing, and supporting a patent portfolio, and drafting IP opinion work under the direction and supervision of counsel.

As a Team Lead IP Operations (Patent Agent -Biology/Chemistry) NA - Research Triangle Park, NC, you create chemistry by...

Leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of North America IPMS processes in collaboration with global leadership.
Ensuring data integrity, cost-efficiency, and performance transparency through KPIs and dashboards.
Monitoring and responding to evolving IP regulations in North America, shaping internal policies and promoting compliance awareness.
Supporting work allocation capture and analysis efforts for the NA AP IP team reporting to the Head of IP in NA.
Overseeing strategic work allocation and relationship management with US IP law firms, including billing optimization and fixed fee negotiations.
Leading the team located in RTP, North Carolina that supports NA AP IP attorneys and collaborates with global case managers and operations teams.
Counseling on patentability, conducting invention harvesting sessions, and managing a strategic global patent portfolio.
Handling interference, re-examination proceedings, petitions, appeals, post-grant reviews, and other USPTO-related processes.

If you...

Hold a Master's degree or PhD in biology, biological sciences, biotechnology, chemistry, or a closely related discipline; or possess equivalent years of relevant work experience (e.g., 15 or more).
Have admission to practice before the USPTO.
Bring a minimum of 10 years of experience working on Intellectual Property or Legal Teams.
Have 4 years of people leadership experience (preferred).
Possess in-house IP experience (preferred).
Demonstrate strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
Maintain a working knowledge of corporate finance and budgeting practices.
Exhibit proficiency in IP software, tools, and applications, including patent docketing and portfolio management systems, as well as Microsoft Office products.
Have experience advising colleagues on patentability, patent filing, prosecution, communicating with the patent office, conducting invention harvesting, and implementing IP portfolio maintenance strategies.
Have experience filing interference, re-examination proceedings, appeals, and other proceedings before the PTAB.
Prefer experience in intellectual property post-grant procedures and in intellectual property due diligence.
Oversee external counsel work and fees, including alternative fee arrangements.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It's what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees' overall well-being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

About us

As one of the largest chemical companies in North America we have been finding solutions for your everyday needs and addressing the most complex economic, environmental, and sustainability challenges for more than 150 years!

At BASF we empower our employees with the tools, guidance and opportunities they need to advance and succeed in work and life. Giving you the support you need to be your best and fulfill your personal ambitions is what helps us create chemistry. After all, our success is linked to yours. Whatever path you envision, BASF is a great place to build a rewarding, successful career.

Belong to Something Bigger. #belongatBASF

Privacy statement

BASF takes security & data privacy very seriously. We will never request financial information of any kind via email, private text message or direct message on any social medial platform or job board. Furthermore, we will never send a candidate a check for equipment or request any type of payment during the job application process. If you have experienced any of the above, please contact myhr@basf.com to report fraud.

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

To apply please click on APPLY TO THIS POSITION

Job Post Date: 07/17/25