Chief Economist

Chief Economist
Job group 3
Grade/Step G13/3
Career path: Managerial

EPO Munich (DE) 

The European Patent Office (EPO) is looking for a new Chief Economist to provide world-class expertise on the economics of patenting trends.

This is a field in which the EPO is a key player. With a self-financed annual budget of over EUR 2bn and as an organisation responsible for granting patents in ground-breaking technologies, the EPO has already produced a number of major economic studies. Addressing topical issues such as patent activity in the field of climate change technology, they have been commended as making vital contributions to wider public debate. The Office has also built some of the most powerful patent databases in existence, which can be harnessed to provide accurate data and figures for macro- and micro-economics.

In this context, the Chief Economist plays a key role in ensuring that Europe’s second-largest public institution is equipped with expert analyses which can inform the management of the organisation, and that economic considerations are factored into the formation of EPO policy at both the strategic and operational level.

Based on the Office's considerable past experience, the successful candidate will continue to develop and disseminate studies and analyses on the economic impact of patents. Internally, this means developing innovative new projects to help the EPO understand how patents are used and how they affect a range of other areas related to economics, such as competition law. Externally, the Chief Economist is charged with raising awareness of IP economics in the public arena, and in this role is expected to liaise with peers in economic circles and academia, as well as with the media and policymakers, to promote the role of the EPO.

The Chief Economist will report directly to the EPO President's office and will lead a small unit of highly dedicated staff, including a senior economist.

Main duties

1. Link EPO policy with economic considerations
2. Take the lead in developing new projects that provide the EPO with a clear understanding of the economic impact of patenting. Specific subjects to be considered include:
   a) the use of patents as a source of technological and market information
   b) markets for technology (licensing models and the like)
   c) patents and macro-economic performance
3. Strengthen the EPO's contribution to public debate on patent issues and raise awareness of IP economics among the public through the organisation of seminars
4. Represent the Office in external meetings held in conjunction with various external partners such as national patent offices, EU institutions, European and international organisations and, in particular, the OECD, OHIM and WIPO
5. Interact with all relevant EPO departments on topics related to patents and economics 
6. Tendering of external studies and development of patent-related indicators
7. Other occasional tasks as specified by EPO management.

The ideal candidate will have

• a PhD in economics or a related field, with 12 to 15 years' research and/or work experience (including time spent on PhD), preferably in the field of innovation and IP, and with a strong empirical orientation
• carried out recent work relating to the role of patents in economics, finance and society
• work experience at international level
• a good network of contacts
• highly developed oral and written communication skills
• analytical skills and initiative
• very good organisational and project-planning skills
• the ability to interact effectively with different departments and teams.

Minimum qualifications

• Diploma of completed studies at Master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience. Excellent knowledge of one official language (English, French or German) and ability to understand the other two.
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation.

Salary and benefits
The EPO offers competitive salaries, an excellent social package, and varied work in a modern international environment. The net (basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy is EUR 11 263.40. In addition, depending on their personal circumstances, EPO staff may be entitled to relocation benefits and various allowances (e.g. household, dependant's, childcare, education, expatriation, installation, rent and language allowance).
* after deduction of the internal tax levied for the benefit of the Organisation and before deduction of staff contributions to the social-security and pension schemes.

Duration of the contract
The contract will be for the duration of three years. An extension up to five years is possible.

Process and timeline
The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications and tests. Before the formal interviews, shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an assessment centre for exercises and discussions designed to assess their management skills and personal qualities. The results will go to the selection board for consideration in the subsequent stages of the selection procedure. 

The assessment centre is scheduled for calendar week 35, with the interviews following in week 37. Both will take place in Munich.

Please apply online, using the link below, reference number EUR/5840.  https://epo.redirect.your-jobresponse.com/C/48679/V1084/apply   Or use the ‘Apply’ button.

Application until: 19 July 2015

www.epo.org/jobs