Engineers and Scientists in the role of Patent Examiner European Patent Office

Job description

Patent examiners work at the forefront of technology and deal every day with the latest and most challenging technical innovations.

Their daily work combines scientific expertise with analytical research and an eye for the legal aspects of intellectual property.

The main tasks of an examiner are to search and examine patent applications received by the EPO. Patent applications are texts and drawings describing an invention and submitted by individuals or companies seeking legal protection.

• The purpose of the search is to find the most relevant previously published technical disclosures ("prior art") against which the patentability of the application can be assessed.
• Substantive examination enables the applicant (or authorised representative such as a patent attorney) to be informed of any objections to the grant of a patent, with a view to resolving these through correspondence and, where necessary, oral proceedings.
• Examiners may also be involved in opposition proceedings if the patent is contested.

Person requirements

• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation
• Excellent knowledge of one official language (English, French and German) and the ability to understand the other two
• Scientific expertise
• Analytical thinking
• Interest in intellectual property law
• Genuine interest in technology
• An eye for detail and an analytical mind
• Applicants must also be willing to relocate to Munich, The Hague or Berlin, the EPO sites at which patents are examined. You can apply direct to your preferred location

Work experience in industry is not essential, but would be an advantage.

Company information

The European Patent Office (EPO) is the second-largest intergovernmental organisation inEurope, employing almost 7 000 staff from over 30 countries. The EPO strives to support innovation and promote a knowledge-based society inEurope. Its mission is to secure the highest quality standards in patenting.

A career at the EPO provides a unique opportunity for engineers and scientists to work with tomorrow's technologies today, in a multinational and intellectually stimulating environment. Our examiners deal on a daily basis with the latest and most challenging technical innovations.

Qualification and experience requirements

Full university degree in physics, chemistry, engineering or natural sciences.
The degree should be relevant to the technical field in which you would like to work

Accepted degree subjects

• mathematics
• engineering, transport
• physics
• engineering, aerospace
• engineering, mechanical
• chemical engineering
• materials science
• environmental science and ecology
• civil engineering and construction
• pharmacy and pharmacology
• engineering, electronic and electrical
• chemistry
• computer sciences and IT