IP Expert — Patent / Trademark

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 attorneys — 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 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 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 attorney (USPTO/CIPO), or have trademark prosecution experience with a J.D.

• 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 15 hours per week (ideally 40+)

• Fully remote - must be based in the United States.

• Role starts immediately, applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Compensation

• $100–$150/hr

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

Contract and Payment Terms

• You will be engaged as an independent contractor.
• This is a fully remote role that can be completed on your own schedule.
• Projects can be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on needs and performance.
• Your work at Mercor will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution.
• Payments are weekly on Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.
• Please note: We are unable to support H1-B or STEM OPT candidates at this time.

About Mercor

Mercor partners with leading AI labs and enterprises to train frontier models using human expertise. You will work on projects that focus on training and enhancing AI systems. You will be paid competitively, collaborate with leading researchers, and help shape the next generation of AI systems in your area of expertise.