Life Sciences Counsel
Provides strategic legal counsel to life sciences research teams, handling complex transactions, IP allocation, and regulatory risks across AI-enabled biomedical initiatives. Requires a JD, U.S. bar membership, deep life sciences expertise, and preferably 10+ years of relevant transactional experience.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Serve as a strategic advisor to life sciences research teams on complex research, development, and commercial matters globally.
- Drive high deal volume with life sciences and biopharma counterparties across sophisticated agreement types.
- Identify, analyze, and proactively manage life sciences regulatory risks in coordination with the broader Legal department.
- Design and implement scalable guidance and processes for life sciences initiatives.
- Anticipate emerging legal developments affecting AI technologies in the life sciences and biopharma sectors and provide strategic guidance to leadership.
Requirements
- JD and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar; California or New York preferred.
- Deep understanding of the life sciences industry, including drug development, research organizations, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology counterparties.
- Working knowledge of GxP, clinical and health data regulations, human-subjects research, and FDA processes.
- Experience negotiating and drafting complex IP allocation provisions in multi-party research arrangements, including ownership of inventions and improvements.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to translate legal risk into practical guidance for scientists, researchers, and business partners.
- Experience scoping and managing outside counsel across FDA/regulatory, IP, privacy, and export control specialties.
- Collaborative, empathetic, proactive approach with willingness to contribute hands-on.
- Curiosity about AI and science and commitment to responsible AI development.
Nice-to-haves
- 10+ years of relevant legal experience, including substantial life sciences transactional work involving contract research, strategic collaborations, and licensing and commercialization deals.
- Experience with AI/ML companies or products deployed in regulated scientific and clinical settings, particularly drug discovery.
- Familiarity with biosecurity, dual-use research, or export control considerations in life sciences.
- Experience using AI to optimize legal work.
- Scientific or technical training.
Compensation and Benefits
- Annual salary: $335,000–$385,000 USD.
- Competitive compensation and benefits, optional equity donation matching, generous vacation and parental leave, flexible working hours, and collaborative office space.
Skills
Life Sciences, Biopharma, Fda Processes, Gxp, Health Data Regulations, Human-Subjects Research, Ip Allocation, Licensing, Commercialization, Privacy, Export Control, AI/ML, Drug Discovery, Biosecurity, Dual-Use Research
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