Lawyer EPO - European Patent Office

Munich/Brussels, Multiple Countries

Directorate Patent Law supports EPO policy and work by developing, strengthening and promoting the European Patent Convention and the patent system generally. Its specialist lawyers assist examiners and formalities staff throughout the patent grant procedure and advise the President on the issues. They also inform users and stakeholders on EPO practice as the law develops.

Main duties

• providing legal advice on European patent law and the PCT, in particular byadvising EPO management, and staff in Directorates-General 1 and 2;
• drafting appealable decisions;
• drafting information and notices for publication in the EPO's Official Journal and/or on its website (www.epo.org);
• drafting and legal checking of proposals to amend the EPC Implementing Regulations, the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO, ancillary regulations and procedural forms;
• providing information about patent-law developments, by answering questions, giving lectures or drafting website publications;
• acting as legally qualified examiner on examination and opposition cases (Articles 18(2) and 19(2) EPC);
• other tasks of the directorate, in particular:drafting procedural analyses and studies;
• taking part in working parties and advisory bodies;
• giving lectures and workshops for internal and external training purposes.

Minimum qualifications

Diploma of completed studies at university level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience. Excellent knowledge of one official language, and a good understanding of the other two. The ideal candidate will also be a loyal team player with good communication and analytical skills.

Selection procedure

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.

Please apply online, using the online application form, reference number INT/EXT/5317.

Closing date: 07.09.2012

As the second largest European organisation, the European Patent Office offers a competitive salary, excellent social benefits and varied work in a modern international environment.

More information on www.epo.org/vacancies.