Patent Docket Specialist

Job Description

The Office of General Counsel is seeking an experienced Patent Docket Specialist to provide operational support to the Intellectual Property (IP) organization. Primary responsibility is to ensure all patent prosecution activities are accurately and timely entered into the docketing system in accordance with U.S. and international patent law and procedures.

This position has a flexible hybrid office schedule based in Rahway, NJ.

A successful candidate should possess strong oral and written communication skills, be self‑motivated and excel in a team environment. The candidate should also have a demonstrated capacity to manage and prioritize multiple tasks efficiently in a high‑volume environment to timely meet all deadlines.

• Review, interpret and monitor all incoming communications from U.S., PCT and international patent offices as well as internal docketing email and correspondence.
• Accurately create and maintain patent and invention disclosure case records within the docketing system.
• Enter prosecution deadlines into the docketing system in accordance with established procedures.
• Electronically file relevant case‑related documentation into the document management system in accordance with established procedures.
• Review amended patent rules and docketing procedure to ensure all prosecution requirements are met.
• Detect and correct data and record management inconsistencies using U.S. and international patent and trademark office databases when appropriate.
• Monitor all due dates to ensure deadlines are timely met, analyze internal correspondence to ensure timely and appropriate docket removal of completed items.
• Generate dockets and assist attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff in the preparation of reports from the docketing system.
• Assist in managing patent acquisitions, divestitures and legal entity charge projects.
• Assist in operational excellence initiatives by making appropriate recommendations for work processes as needed.

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree or paralegal certificate preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of patent docketing experience in a law firm or in‑house legal department.
• Knowledge: Substantive knowledge of U.S., PCT, and foreign patent prosecution principles, strategies, and technology; experience working with global IP portfolios.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Advanced proficiency with docketing systems and U.S. and International Patent and Trademark Office databases including USPTO’s Patent Center & EPAS and WIPO; advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook Word, Excel).
• Other
  
  Skills:
  
  Extraordinary accuracy and attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with high volume of work, resilience and change‑agile, autonomy on routine tasks and projects of greater complexity.
• Preferred Experience: Specific experience supporting pharmaceutical or biotechnology patent prosecution; prior experience with Clarivate’s IP Management System (TIPMS) or IPManager and/or First-to-File.

This role is based at our Headquarters site in Rahway, NJ, with a hybrid setup (three days in office and two days off‑site/remote). The position cannot be 100% remote.

Salary range: $87,300.00 – $. The successful candidate will be eligible for an annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits for employee and family; retirement benefits; 401(k) with matching; paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. For more information about personal rights under U.S. laws, visit the EEOC. We are proud to embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage respectful collaboration among colleagues.