Engineers and Scientists – Career as a European Patent Examiner
European Patent Office

Are you an engineer or a scientist interested in joining an international team of highly qualified staff? Do you want to see the latest inventions?

Then this professional opportunity is the right one for you!

We are currently seeking engineers and scientists, with a Master's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry or natural sciences, to work as European Patent Examiners in the area of the following technical fields:

The Hague and Munich

• Polymer Chemistry
• Medical Technology
• Handling & Processing
• Measuring & Optics
• Consumer Technology
• Civil Engineering and Thermodynamics
• Vehicles and General Technology
• Electrical and Electronic Technology
• Information & Communications Technology
• Technical Chemistry
• Galenics
• Biopharma and Medical Use
• Audio Video Media and Signal Processing

Your main responsibilities

• Carrying out patent examination from the search to the post-grant stage, and solving complex technical and legal problems in the process
• Taking a broad perspective to identify solutions whilst ensuring the uniform and effective application of the EPC (European Patent Convention) and other legal texts
• Creating and maintaining classification systems to ensure efficient and effective searching

We expect you to be able to:

• analyse technical and subject-specific information
• retrieve technical information from databases and other sources
• analyse and compare technical matter according to the legal provisions applicable
• make decisions following the assessment of complex technical information, the application of legal requirements and the examination of parties' arguments
• write clear and well-reasoned communications
• interact with colleagues and applicants to process patent applications efficiently

Your qualifications

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in engineering, physics, chemistry or natural sciences. The degree should be relevant to the technical field(s) indicated in this vacancy notice.
• Generally, an excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and working knowledge (at least B2) of the other two. In exceptional cases, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language and working knowledge (at least B2) of another. In such cases, the willingness to learn the third language and to reach Level B2 within three years would be required.
• Work experience in industry would be advantageous.
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation.

Recruitment events

Our next recruitment events will take place in The Hague from 6.5.2019 to 10.5.2019 and in Munich from 13.5.2019 to 17.5.2019. As a general rule, you will be invited to the location (Munich or The Hague) for which your application is being considered.

Recruitment process

At the end of our recruitment process, suitable candidates are either directly appointed to a vacant post or added to the EPO Talent Pool for a period of 18 months. We may use the Talent Pool to fill vacant posts with a similar profile.

Job group: 4

Grade: G7-10 (net (basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy: EUR 5 650 to 8 050, depending on experience)

Duration of appointment: five years

Career path: Technical

Location: The Hague/Munich

Application deadline: 10.3.2019

* after deduction of EPO internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social-security and pension schemes