Member of the Boards of Appeal EPO

European Patent Office

Munich, Germany

Under the European Patent Convention, the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office have final-instance jurisdiction with respect to European patents.

A board member's main duties are as follows:

• Participation in all written and oral procedural stages of proceedings before the boards of appeal, up to and including the decision terminating the proceedings. As rapporteur: making proposals on the taking of evidence and on communications to parties. Preparing draft decisions, including all related tasks;
• After gaining experience in the duties of a member of the boards of appeal, helping to train new board members and assistants;
• Tasks relating to the organisation and working methods of DG 3.

Candidates must have a diploma of completed law studies at university level or - in exceptional cases - equivalent knowledge acquired over many years of qualified work, as well as many years of professional experience.

They must also have a special aptitude for judicial work. Very high standards of performance are expected. Candidates should also have worked in the field of patent law, and have practical experience as judges, lawyers in private practice, patent agents, or legal or technical advisers in public administration or industry.

Candidates must have an excellent knowledge of one official language of the EPO (English, French and German) and an ability to understand the other two.
Please apply by completing the online application form, reference number INT/EXT/5218.

Closing date: 30.04.2012
More information on www.epo.org/vacancies