About the Role

Mercor is partnering with a leading AI lab to train frontier models on high-quality legal reasoning data. We're hiring IP Practitioners — patent agents, patent attorneys, and trademark practitioners — to design realistic IP scenarios, evaluate model outputs against established standards, and help shape how the next generation of AI reasons about patent prosecution, trademark practice, and IP analysis.

We welcome registered patent agents and attorneys (USPTO/CIPO), trademark practitioners, IP litigators, and senior associates in IP practice. Generalist patent counsel and life sciences/electrical/mechanical/computer science prosecutors are all encouraged to apply.

What You'll Do

Design realistic IP scenarios drawn from your practice (Office Action responses, prior art analysis, patent drafting, clearance opinions, TTAB proceedings, FTO analysis)

Write "golden" reference responses at attorney/agent-level quality

Grade AI-generated responses against structured rubrics

Provide written feedback the research team uses to improve model behavior

Participate in onboarding office hours and specialty calibration sessions

You're a Good Fit If You

Are a registered patent agent or patent attorney (USPTO/CIPO), or have trademark prosecution experience with a J.D. or LL.B./LL.M.

Have 1–4 years of professional experience in IP prosecution or litigation

Hold bar admission or USPTO/CIPO/UKIPO registration in good standing

Have a technical background (engineering, computer science, life sciences, or chemistry preferred for patent work)

Demonstrate excellent written communication skills with high attention to detail

Bonus Qualifications

IP litigation experience (claim charts, invalidity analysis, Markman hearing prep)

IP portfolio management experience

Inter Partes Review (IPR) or Post-Grant Review experience

Familiarity with patent analytics tools (PatSnap, Derwent, Google Patents)

Role Highlights

Minimum 20 hours per week (ideally 40+)

Fully remote - must be based in the United States.

Role starts immediately, applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Compensation
$85–$120/hr

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.