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Lila Sciences · 2 weeks ago

Head of Intellectual Property

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$238K/yr - $304K/yr

10+ years exp

Lila Sciences is seeking a Head of Intellectual Property (IP) to lead their growing IP function. The role involves designing and implementing IP strategies to protect innovations across various domains and collaborating with technical teams to align IP protection with the company's vision.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Foundational AILife ScienceSoftware

Responsibilities

Define and champion Lila’s global IP strategy across software, hardware, and scientific platforms

Set portfolio priorities & publication policies that balance open science with robust protection of patents and trade secrets

Harvest inventions and lead end‑to‑end patent prosecution in close partnership with engineers and scientists

Drive IP diligence for partnerships, licensing, and M&A transactions, including freedom‑to‑operate analyses

Oversee IP enforcement and dispute resolution, managing outside counsel and budget where necessary

Advise cross‑functional teams (R&D, product, commercial) on IP risks and opportunities throughout development

Engage with industry groups and regulators to advance innovation‑friendly IP policy and thought leadership

Qualification

J.D.USPTO admissionIP legal experiencePatent strategy expertiseAI/ML industry experienceIP litigation managementCommunicatorBusiness-minded legal thinkerCross-functional collaboration

Required

J.D. and admission to practice before the USPTO

10+ years of IP legal experience, including significant in-house work

Expertise in patent strategy, prosecution, and portfolio management

Significant experience advising on transactions involving IP

Proven ability to work cross-functionally in fast-moving, interdisciplinary environments

Excellent communicator and business-minded legal thinker

Preferred

Industry experience in AI/ML, software, or lab automation is strongly preferred

Technical fluency in life sciences, physical sciences, or engineering is a plus

Passion for using AI in the practice of law

Experience managing IP litigation and/or advocating for policy change is a bonus

Benefits

Bonus potential

Generous early equity

Company

Lila Sciences

Lila Sciences creates a scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous labs for life sciences, chemistry, and materials science. It is a sub-organization of Flagship Pioneering.

Founded in 2023

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

201-500 employees