Senior Economist

EPO - European Patent Office

Munich, Germany

Chief Economist Unit 
EPO Munich (DE) 

The holder of this temporary position will work alongside the EPO Chief Economist and will report direct to him. The Chief Economist's job is to bring economic considerations to bear on EPO policy and to support the Economic and Scientific Advisory Board (ESAB). Internally, this means developing new projects to help the EPO to understand better how patents are used and what their economic impact is. It also involves raising awareness of IP economics among EPO staff. Externally, the Chief Economist promotes the EPO as a major player in the public arena (in academia and the press, among policymakers, etc.).

Main duties

• Supporting the Chief Economist in bringing economic considerations to bear on EPO policy and in assisting the Economic and Scientific Advisory Board (ESAB) in its work;
• Planning and carrying out new economic projects developed by the Chief Economist to help the EPO to understand better the economic impact of patenting;
• Such projects will focus in particular on:
  • the use of patents as a source of technological and market information;
  • markets for technology (licensing models and the like);
  • patents and firm-level, industry-level and macro-economic performance;
  • the organisation of seminars on economics-related topics;
  • working with EPC member states on the preparation of long-term policy measures;
  • co-operation with the OECD, WIPO, the European Commission and other international bodies;
• Deputising for or assisting the Chief Economist at meetings with national patent offices and European and international organisations;
• Helping the Chief Economist in raising awareness of IP economics among EPO staff and in his role as secretary-general to the ESAB;
• Tendering external studies, and developing patent-related indicators;
• Other duties as assigned on an occasional basis by EPO management (e.g. providing contributions to speeches).

The ideal candidate will have

• A PhD in economics or a related field with 8-to-10 years' research and/or work experience (including time spent on PhD), preferably in the field of innovation and intellectual property, with a strong empirical orientation;
• Done recent work relating to the role of patents in economics, finance and society;
• Work experience at international level;
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills;
• Analytical skills and initiative;
• Very good organisational and project-planning skills.

Minimum qualifications

Diploma of completed studies at university level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience. Excellent knowledge of one official language and ability to understand the other two.

Duration of the contract

The contract will be for the duration of 3 years. An extension will be possible.

Selection procedure

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

Please apply online, using the online application form via the link, reference number EUR/5582. 

Click here to apply! 

Closing date: 28.02.2014. 

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. 

Agency calls not appreciated.