Corporate & Intellectual Property Paralegal

This is a rare opportunity to join a team that is bringing an entirely new category of brain health to the world. At Cognito, we are developing therapies designed to promote dignity, clarity, and coherence in the lives they touch. Cognito is a neurotechnology company developing a new therapeutic approach to cognitive and neurological health, designed to work with the brain's own activity and biology. Born from pioneering neuroscience research at MIT, Cognito brings together neuroscience, engineering, medicine and technology to translate breakthroughs in brain science into practical therapies designed for everyday life. Our first therapeutic application, Spectris AD, is an investigational, prescription, at-home therapy for Alzheimer's disease. With our pivotal HOPE study now complete, Cognito is entering an important new phase as we advance Spectris AD toward regulatory review, prepare for potential commercialization and continue exploring the broader potential of our science across neurological health. We are building an interdisciplinary team united by a shared purpose: protecting and progressing the human ability to think, learn and remember. For innovators who want to work at the intersection of breakthrough science, technology and human health, Cognito offers the chance to help shape what comes next. ABOUT THE JOB Cognito Therapeutics is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive Corporate & Intellectual Property Paralegal to join its in-house Legal and Intellectual Property team. Reporting directly to the Senior Director, IP Counsel, this individual will provide comprehensive paralegal, contract management, intellectual property, and administrative support across the company's legal and corporate functions. The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior Director, IP Counsel, General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to support legal operations, coordinate patent-related formalities, facilitate contract review and execution, and assist with executive scheduling and administrative priorities. The position requires sound judgment, exceptional organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to a growing legal department within an innovative medical technology company, supporting intellectual property protection, corporate transactions, research collaborations, clinical development, and commercialization activities. Key Responsibilities · Intellectual Property and Patent Prosecution Support: Work under the direction of the Senior Director, IP Counsel to support the administration and management of Cognito's domestic and international patent portfolio, including coordinating with outside counsel, inventors, and internal stakeholders on patent prosecution matters, deadlines, and required documentation. · Patent Formalities and Execution: Prepare, review, verify, and coordinate the proper execution of patent-related formalities documents, including inventor declarations, assignments, powers of attorney, and other required documentation. Verify inventor identities, ownership information, signatures, and jurisdiction-specific execution requirements, and consult with in-house IP counsel regarding discrepancies or concerns before execution, filing, or recordation. · Contract Review and Management: Assist in drafting, reviewing, and administering standardized agreements, including nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), material transfer agreements (MTAs), consulting agreements, and other commercial and research-related contracts, under the supervision of in-house counsel. Coordinate internal reviews, approvals, signatures, and execution while tracking contractual obligations, renewal dates, and deadlines. · Contract Lifecycle Management: Maintain organized and accurate contract repositories, track agreement status from initial request through execution, and support the development and implementation of contract management processes, templates, and standardized workflows. · Executive and Legal Administrative Support: Provide scheduling and administrative support to the Senior Director, IP Counsel, COO, General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel, including calendar management, meeting coordination, preparation of agendas and materials, and communication with internal and external stakeholders. · Outside Counsel Coordination: Serve as an administrative liaison with outside counsel to facilitate document requests, track legal deliverables, monitor deadlines, coordinate formalities, and organize legal correspondence and related materials. · Legal Operations and Corporate Governance: Support legal department operations, including corporate governance documentation, legal holds, service of process coordination, shared inbox management, and maintenance of corporate and legal records. · Legal Documentation and Process Improvement: Maintain and update legal templates, standard agreements, internal policies, procedural guidelines, and operational resources to promote accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. · Issue Identification and Escalation: Identify incomplete documentation, procedural deficiencies, inconsistencies, and potential legal or operational risks, and promptly escalate matters to the appropriate in-house counsel for review and direction. · Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with legal, scientific, clinical, regulatory, finance, and business teams to coordinate legal documentation, facilitate information exchange, and support corporate initiatives. · Confidentiality and Compliance: Handle confidential, privileged, proprietary, and sensitive corporate information with discretion and in accordance with applicable legal and company requirements. Required Qualifications · Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. · 3+ years of paralegal or legal support experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or in-house legal team. · Experience supporting intellectual property, corporate legal matters, contract administration, or a combination of these functions. · Experience preparing, reviewing, and coordinating the execution of legal documents, including contracts, assignments, declarations, and other formalities. · Familiarity with standardized commercial and research-related agreements, including NDAs, MTAs, consulting agreements, and service agreements. · Experience with contract lifecycle management, document control, and maintaining accurate legal records and repositories. · Demonstrated ability to assess issue severity, identify areas of concern, exercise sound judgment, and escalate matters appropriately. · Experience coordinating schedules, meetings, and administrative priorities for multiple senior executives or legal professionals. · Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain legal processes and documentation requirements clearly to individuals with varying levels of legal and technical familiarity. · Exceptional organizational, planning, and time-management skills, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines. · Demonstrated history of collaborative, solution-oriented teamwork and effective cross-functional communication. · Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as electronic document management systems. · Ability to work independently on assigned paralegal and administrative responsibilities while recognizing matters requiring attorney supervision, review, or approval. · Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of privileged communications, proprietary information, and sensitive corporate matters. Preferred Qualification - Paralegal certification from an accredited program or a degree in Paralegal Studies or a related field. - Experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, or broader life sciences industry. - Experience supporting domestic and international patent prosecution, including patent formalities, inventor declarations, assignments, and coordination with outside patent counsel. - Familiarity with USPTO procedures, patent docketing systems, and intellectual property portfolio management. - Experience with contract lifecycle management platforms, electronic signature systems, and legal document repositories. - Experience supporting corporate governance, board documentation, legal holds, and other corporate legal operations. - Familiarity with artificial intelligence, automation, and workflow management tools used to improve legal department efficiency. Competitive Benefits Cognito Therapeutics offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees working 30+ hours per week, starting on the date of hire: medical, dental, and vision insurance; virtual medical support; a Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts; company-paid life and AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with Roth option; tuition reimbursement; an employee assistance program; pre-tax commuter benefits; and voluntary benefits such as supplemental life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance. Unlimited paid time off includes flexible (non-accrual) vacation, 12 paid holidays, 80 hours of paid sick leave each year, and up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, plus any additional paid leave required by state or local law. Physical Requirements & Work Environment • This role is primarily performed in an office or home-office setting. Essential physical requirements include the ability to work at a computer for extended periods, communicating effectively in written and verbal formats, and participate in video and in-person meetings. • Occasional travel to partner sites may be required. For remote roles, occasional travel to Cognito’s Cambridge, MA office may also be required. Cognito Therapeutics is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact us at recruitingteam@cognitotx.com. Cognito Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and job requirements. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.