Job opportunities at the European Patent Office

Christos Dimopoulos

Head of the Vice-President's Office

International/Legal Affairs (DG5)

About us

Locations

The EPO has offices at

five different locations.

Its headquarters are in Munich.

Number of staff in 2010

Munich 3 718

The Hague 2 710

Berlin 274

Vienna 112

Brussels 4

Total 6 818

Around 60% are patent examiners

Staff from 31 different countries (2010)

Country Number of staffAT Austria 237

BE Belgium 359

BG Bulgaria 35

CH Switzerland 74

CY Cyprus 8

CZ Czech Republic 20

ES Spain 447

DE Germany 1 851

DK Denmark 75

EE Estonia 7

FI Finland 49

FR France 1 225

GB United Kingdom 507

GR Greece 165

HU Hungary 29

IE Ireland 82

HR Croatia 2

Country Number of staff

IT Italy 507

LT Lithuania 4

LU Luxembourg 69

LV Latvia 5

MT Malta 2

NL Netherlands 609

SE Sweden 125

PL Poland 62

PT Portugal 87

RO Romania 115

SI Slovenia 14

SK Slovakia 15

TR Turkey 29

Others 2

Total 6 818

IS Iceland 1

Job opportunities

Jobs at the European Patent Office

Types of jobs for candidates holding a university degree (A grades)

• Examiners:

play a decisive role in the grant of new patents in Europe in a wide range of technical areas (14 Clusters) permanent employees

• Other roles

Lawyers Translators Administrators (human resources, finance, controlling ...) permanent employees and contractors

Work as a patent examiner

Top-level engineers and scientists

• high degree of technical expertise

• knowledge of the EPO's three official languages

Training during first two years

• extensive legal and procedural training

• individual coaching by experienced examiners

Continuing professional development throughout career

• language courses

Who are we looking for?

Diploma of completed studies at university level (Masters Degree) or - in exceptional cases - equivalent professional experience.

Candidates must have an excellent knowledge of one official language of the EPO (English, French and German) and ability to understand the other two.

Nationals of one of the member states

Work experience is not required but would be an advantage

What do we offer?

Long-term employment in an international environment at the forefront of technology

Good work/life balance

Professional development opportunities

Attractive salary, pension scheme, social security package and good working conditions

How to apply?

All our vacancies are posted online:

http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies.html

online application form linked from each vacancy notice

Internships1. Legal & International Affairs

In which units are placements possible?

3.0 Legal Research and Administration5.1 Patent Information and European Co-operation5.2.1 Patent Law5.2.2 International Legal Affairs5.2.3 International Affairs5.2.4 Legal Division/Patent Administration5.2.5 International and Legal PCT Affairs5.2.6 IP5/Trilateral Affairs and International Organisations5.3.1 Institutional and General Legal Matters5.3.4 Legal Services The Hague5.4 European Patent Academy5.0.2 Brussels Bureau

What do we offer?

learn about the unit's activities improve the knowledge acquired during your studies become acquainted with various aspects of the European patent system gain first-hand experience in an international organisation

Availability

The number of places available is limited and reviewed for each year.There are two sessions per year: March to June - September to December.

Applicants must:

University degree (in patent law or intellectual property). have a very good knowledge of one of the EPO's official languages (English, French and German) and a good knowledge of another. be nationals of one of the EPO member states take out your own health insurance.

How do you apply?

Please submit your application on-line via our website. You will find it as well as further information on the internet under:

http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies/internships/graduates.html

Internships1. Legal & International Affairs

Internships2. Science & Engineering

In which Technical fields in Munich, The Hague and Berlin are placements possible?

mechanical engineering civil engineering chemistry electronics electricity physics computers

What do we offer?

training on IP in general, the patent granting process and classification systems as well as the tools used by examiners re-classify patent applications under the supervision of an examiner get an insight into the latest R&D trends report on your experiences to your tutor and the HR department

Availability

The number of places available is limited and reviewed for each year.There are several sessions each year. The next one starts in January 2012 in Berlin.

Applicants must:

hold a bachelor's degree (or have completed university studies at an equivalent level) and currently be enrolled in a college or university speak English fluently. Knowledge of German and/or French would be an advantage. be a national of one of the EPO member states take out your own health insurance.

How do you apply?

Please submit your application on-line via our website. You will find it as well as further information on the internet under:

http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies/internships/science-engineering.html

Internships2. Science & Engineering

Thank you for your attention