Patent Attorney

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.

Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.

Who are we and what do we do?

Vylor is a global leader in advanced seed and genetics. For more than a century, we've advanced scientific discovery and breakthrough innovation to help farmers feed and fuel the world. Our business is backed by next-generation scientific expertise and multiple, distinct routes to market, like our industry-leading seed brands and our licensing business.

The Vylor innovation engine is anchored in the agriculture industry’s most elite germplasm and transformative biotech. The company will leverage its next generation scientific expertise in disciplines like gene editing and molecular breeding to further strengthen its core business while exploring opportunities to expand to new row crops – and potentially beyond. Vylor will scale these innovations using its leading routes-to-market and by significantly expanding its licensing business.

About the Opportunity

Seeking a new and challenging opportunity to further enhance your patent attorney career without the hassle of billable hours? Tired of chasing new clients and worried about making partner? Vylor, located in Johnston, Iowa has an opening for a Patent Attorney. This is a highly visible, key role within Vylor’s Intellectual Property group which provides an exciting opportunity to work closely with an in-house legal team, business partners and R&D involved in a variety of world-class technologies such as next-gen genomics, gene editing, and artificial intelligence. An individual well-suited to this position must exhibit vision, integrity, commitment, leadership, self-motivation, maturity and judgement.

Primary Responsibilities - How will you help us Grow!

The Patent Attorney role has diverse responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• Freedom to Operate analysis.
• IP portfolio strategy.
• U.S. patent drafting.
• U.S. and foreign patent prosecution.
• Patentability and landscape analysis.
• Intellectual property transactions/agreements.
• Patent administrative proceedings.
• Invention development.
• Inventor education

Experience and Education – What you'll bring to the table!

• Ph.D. and strong background in genetics, breeding, biotechnology, molecular biology, or in a plant science discipline.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited institution in the U.S.; admission to USPTO and at least one State Bar.
• 3-6 years of current experience in hands-on drafting and/or prosecuting patent applications as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney, preferably in a law firm.
• Experience with developing and implementing IP strategies and IP portfolio analyses.
• Capable of analyzing patent landscape and advising clients on FTO and patentability considerations for complex technologies.
• Experience working with foreign associates to assist and coordinate filing and prosecution of international patent matters.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or work environment and to facilitate implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
• Strong organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and ability to prioritize projects and meet aggressive deadlines.
• Superior communication, influencing and networking skills.
• Outstanding writing skills demonstrated by original writing samples of patent applications, prosecution submissions, memorandums, and other communications.

The following skill sets are preferred by the Legal function but not required

• Post-graduate R&D laboratory experience for 2 or more years.
• Experience with independently prosecuting large patent dockets.
• Leading and negotiating IP transactions/agreements.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You:

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Vylor Benefits
• Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.