Associate Patent Examiner

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright. IP touches everything that makes life more enjoyable, easier, safer, and more prosperous. Our work gives researchers, inventors, creators and businesses the confidence to invest their time, energy and money in doing something new.

Explore the Frontier of Innovation as an Associate Patent Examiner

Patent Examiners are at the forefront of technological advancement, playing a pivotal role in shaping our future. Patent examining offers a unique and fascinating career where scientific and technical ingenuity meets legal acumen.

We are seeking scientists, engineers and mathematicians with enthusiasm and energy for furthering their technical expertise to join our new training programme. Artificial Intelligence, 6G, and quantum computing have the potential to transform our world in the next decade. Our personalised training programme will build on your existing STEM knowledge to enable you to examine patents from innovation hot-spots within such fields as computing, cyber security, telecommunications and image processing.

Working locationThis role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in ourNewport office.

We would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office. The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role but is very unlikely to be less than 1 day per week.

Job description

Why Join Us?

As a Patent Examiner, you'll be at the forefront of technological advancement, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation in the world around us.

Unparalleled Training and Mentorship

• If you are excited about expanding your knowledge of emerging technologies, we will provide you with a personalised program of training and development. This may take the form of mentoring, formal technical training courses and on-the-job learning.
• To complement this scientific and technical knowledge, well also provide you with all the necessary training in the legal aspects of the role.
• Your STEM background and technical aptitude will be used to determine the area of innovation that you will be trained to work on.
• The initial training course will start on Monday 3 February 2025 full time for 7/8 weeks. The training will include an engaging variety of seminars, practical demonstrations, coursework and associated tutorials. This training will be held in person, onsite at our Newport Office allowing you to get to know your colleagues and fellow recruits.

Professional Development

• At our organisation, we prioritise the growth and development of our team members.
• With a clear path for advancement, after 2-5 years youll have the opportunity to progress from Associate Patent Examiner to Patent Examiner. After a few more years of development, a further non-competitive promotion is available to Senior Patent Examiner to become a subject matter expert and leader within our division.

A Collaborative Environment

• Join a team of like-minded individuals who share your passion for science, technology and engineering.
• Collaborate with colleagues, engage in knowledge sharing, and leverage the collective expertise of our diverse team.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold at least a 2:2 degree in science, engineering, maths, computing, telecommunications or a related field.

Alternatively, applicants must demonstrate equivalent proficiency through substantial industrial experience in technical roles.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Established knowledge in science, engineering, maths, computing, telecommunications or a related field detailing how you have applied and embedded your technical knowledge in practical situations.
• Ability to understand and evaluate scientific and technical information to reach conclusions accurately, providing reasoning respectfully whilst adapting quickly to apply new learning points.

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Established knowledge in science, engineering, maths, computing, telecommunications or a related field detailing how you have applied and embedded your technical knowledge in practical situations.

Benefits

Benefits of working with us:

• A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities
• 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave
• A very generous pension scheme with 28.97% employer contributions. Further information around the benefits of joining the Civil Service can be found via the Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Family friendly policies that support modern working families and individuals with caring responsibilities
• A variety of support functions; Staff Counselling Service, Peer to Peer Support Group
• Eligibility for special and office-wide bonus payments
• The opportunity to form part of our many inclusive network groups, find out more by looking atIntellectual Property Office (IPO) (diversityjobsgroup.com)
• A range of wellbeing initiatives; Onsite Gym (Newport office), Eye Care Scheme, Volunteering Programme, Cycling facilities
• Free car parking is available on site at our Newport office
• On-site shop, restaurant and coffee shop at our Newport office

For more information about whats on offer at the Intellectual Property Office please review our IPO benefit pack attached to the bottom of this advert.

Please note that benefits may be subject to change.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is usingSuccess Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply

Candidates to note:

• In order to capture your employment history please complete the employment history box under the 'Your CV' section of the online application form.
• All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder

The application process will consist of 4 separate stages. Applicants will need to pass stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3 to progress to stage 4: Interview.

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