Specialist Intellectual Property Search

Mainz, Germany | full time | Job ID: 11305 About the role: The BioNTech IP Team is seeking an experienced IP Search Specialist and Competitor Intelligence professional to strengthen our patent search, monitoring, and analytical capabilities. The role sits within the IP Search / Competitive Intelligence team and will focus on delivering high quality patent analyses to support R&D, IP strategy, and business decision-making Your contribution: Performing Freedom to operate (FTO), Invalidity, Novelty, Prior-art, Validity/Invalidity and Competitor searches, including identifying and analyzing relevant prior art to support internal product development using patent and scientific databases.

Preparing clear, concise, and well-documented search reports, including search strategies, findings, and recommendations. Designing and executing complex search strategies using CPC/IPC classifications, advanced keyword methodologies, and patent and scientific databases to identify relevant prior art and support IP-related decision-making.

Conducting advanced patent, sequence, and biological searches (including nucleotide, amino acid, protein, peptide, antibody, and gene sequences) to support Patentability, Prior-art, Validity, and Freedom-to-operate assessments. Performing chemical structure, substructure, similarity, and Markush searches for small molecules, pharmaceutical compounds, and formulations, and analyze search results to provide actionable IP insights, patent landscape assessments, and competitive intelligence reports.

Analyzing patent applications, granted patents, legal status changes and summarizing the findings. Partnering closely with patent practitioners and R&D to clarify search objectives and deliver actionable insights.

Educating patent practitioners on patent search tools and methodologies and delivering internal training to build proficiency in patent search databases. A good match: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field.

Minimum 5 years of IP Search experience in the Biotech/Pharmaceutical industry. Based in Germany or UK.

This position offers remote or hybrid work flexibility. Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking skills.

High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including fluency in English.

Ability to actively converse and understand scientific and technical matters with representatives from R&D as well as outside counsel and colleagues from IP. Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced, collaborative team environment.

Ability to be flexible and responsive and to act independently as well as collaboratively across business. A willingness and desire to become part of and contribute to BioNTech’s unique, diverse, and international culture.

Apply now - We look forward to receiving your application! Apply to our Mainz, Germany location by sending us your documents via our online form.

For any questions, contact our talent acquisition team on: + 49 (0) 6131-9084-1291 (Monday-Friday from 1 PM to 3 PM CET). Job ID 11305 (please always specify if you have any questions) By submitting your application, you acknowledge that a background check will be conducted as part of the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

If you are considered for the position, BioNTech will conduct the background check through our service provider ‘HireRight’. You will be informed accordingly by your BioNTech-Recruiter.