Intellectual Property Lead – Biologicals

Syngenta Crop Protection, the largest Syngenta Group unit, leads in sustainable farming solutions, offering innovative products to keep crops healthy while minimizing environmental impact, from planting to harvest.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Magazine and it has been awarded with the "Friendly Work Space" label to all its Swiss sites.

The Syngenta Crop Protection Legal & IP team is seeking a strategic and commercially-minded Patent Attorney to help drive and transform our rapidly growing global Biologicals business. This senior role requires an exceptional professional who can navigate complex and challenging IP scenarios, build stakeholder confidence in a dynamic and evolving business environment, and translate complex IP concepts into clear deliverable business actions.

The role will be based at Syngenta's Global Headquarters in Basel.

As our IP Lead for Biologicals, you will create customised IP strategies across our Biologicals portfolio - from discovery through commercialization and beyond - ensuring maximum business value. You will lead transformation of Biologicals IP practices, building on Syngenta's existing IP policies to establish new standards of excellence.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop and implement global, regional and country IP strategies for Biologicals, consolidating current approaches into comprehensive business-aligned strategies
• Promote and deliver innovative use of IP as an integral part of achieving Syngenta Crop Protection Biologicals business priorities
• Build IP awareness among diverse stakeholders across R&D, Commercial, Legal, and Licensing teams through tailored communication strategies
• Provide strategic leadership and influence key decision-makers across complex organizational structures
• Identify and implement alternative forms of IP protection specific to biologicals beyond traditional patents
• Provide strategic IP support for transaction teams including due diligence and advisory services
• Manage an extensive IP portfolio including drafting, filing, prosecution and defense of patents/patent applications, as well as conduct freedom-to-operate assessments and prepare formal IP opinions

• Qualified European Patent Attorney with 5 years post-qualification experience (PQE) in the patent profession. A national patent attorney qualification is considered beneficial
• Corporate IP department experience (minimum 3 years preferred)
• Degree or equivalent qualification in biotechnology, biochemistry or related subject, preferably with experience in dealing with plant biology or biologicals
• Proven experience in establishing IP strategies at business unit level globally
• Strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills with ability to effectively communicate IP strategies to diverse audiences at all organizational levels
• Track record of implementing process improvements and organizational change initiatives
• Fluency in English
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking with ability to distill complex information into actionable insights
• Some understanding of crop protection regulatory landscapes affecting biologicals exclusivity is beneficial
• Self-starter mentality with proven ability to identify issues proactively and implement solutions
• Patent litigation experience is an advantage

We offer a variety of financial and non-financial benefits including:

• A position that contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment 
• A superb working environment with an open culture and diverse workforce where new ideas are always welcome
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees and gain scientific and technical excellence
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options
• You will profit from a competitive pension fund plan, attractive bonus system, onsite doctor, fitness room, canteen, and other benefits including Family friendly initiatives, Child and Family allowance

Please send your complete application with your English CV, diploma and work certificate copies (if applicable)

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.