Patent Searcher
Abbott
Summary
This position works out of our Abbott Park: Lake County IL (other locations: Santa Clara, CA, Alameda, CA, Chicago, IL, Plymouth, MN, or St. Paul, MN.)
Job description
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Abbott Park: Lake County IL (other locations: Santa Clara, CA, Alameda, CA, Chicago, IL, Plymouth, MN, or St. Paul, MN.)
The Position
As IP Research Information Scientist, you will support Abbott businesses by managing legal risks through the discovery, analysis, and application of information from clinical, biomedical, and patent literature sources, leveraging advanced research, analytics, and information management methodologies. Working as part of the Abbott Research Center (ARC), Abbott’s corporate library, you will collaborate with other ARC functions, the Legal IP department, and fellow IP researchers to develop patent search strategies, identify relevant third-party patents, and communicate findings through visualizations, presentations, and other deliverables that support strategy, decision-making, and innovation.
What You’ll Do
- Conduct Freedom to Operate (FTO), patentability, and other IP research projects supporting Abbott business units.
- Develop and implement patent search strategies, analyze findings, and communicate insights to IP attorneys and business stakeholders.
- Identify emerging technologies, patent trends, competitive threats, and innovation opportunities through patent and scientific research.
- Apply data science, analytics, AI, and information management methodologies to solve complex IP and competitive intelligence challenges.
- Develop and evaluate novel applications of analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, visualization, and AI to advance patent intelligence, competitive intelligence, and innovation insights.
- Create visualizations, dashboards, landscapes, and other research deliverables that support strategic decision-making across Abbott.
- Evaluate and integrate new IP research technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to improve research effectiveness, knowledge sharing, and insight generation.
- Assess technologies, patent portfolios, and third-party intellectual property relevant to Abbott products.
- Partner and collaborate with cross-functional teams across Legal, R&D, and ARC to support innovation, product development, and risk-management initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific or engineering field
- Minimum 3 years patent and/or scientific literature searching experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare, or related industry
- Minimum 3 years of experience analyzing competitive intelligence and developing corresponding IP strategy
Preferred Qualifications
- Expertise in medical devices or similar health care products, especially those involving digital/software solutions
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline, with demonstrated ability to understand and analyze electrical, software, firmware, AI, connectivity, and digital health technologies
- Experience applying analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, AI, or other advanced information technologies to research, competitive intelligence, knowledge management, or related business challenges
- Registered patent agent with USPTO
- Proven ability to perform successfully in cross-functional teams
- Experience analyzing competitive intelligence and developing corresponding IP strategy
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific or engineering field
- Minimum 3 years patent and/or scientific literature searching experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare, or related industry
- Minimum 3 years of experience analyzing competitive intelligence and developing corresponding IP strategy
- Expertise in medical devices or similar health care products, especially those involving digital/software solutions
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
- Experience applying analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, AI, or other advanced information technologies
- Registered patent agent with USPTO
- Proven ability to perform successfully in cross-functional teams
Benefits
- Medical coverage
- Retirement savings plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Student debt program
- Education benefit
Company overview
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare leader with a 135-year legacy of innovation, dedicated to helping people live healthier, fuller lives through life-changing technologies and products. Headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, the company operates in more than 160 countries with a workforce of approximately 114,000 professionals. Abbott's diversified portfolio spans four core business segments: medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The company is particularly renowned for its groundbreaking medical devices including cardiovascular technologies, diabetes management systems like the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitor, neuromodulation devices for chronic pain, and the AVEIR DR dual chamber leadless pacemaker system. In diagnostics, Abbott has been instrumental in developing critical tests, including the first licensed HIV test in 1985 that helped secure blood supply safety. The company's nutrition division produces leading infant formulas like Similac, while its pharmaceutical business provides quality branded generic medicines. Abbott consistently ranks among Fortune's Most Admired Companies and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility, making it a trusted partner in advancing global healthcare.