Job opportunities at the
European Patent Office
Christos Dimopoulos
Head of the Vice-President's Office
International/Legal Affairs (DG5)
About us
Locations
The EPO has offices at
five different locations.
Its headquarters are in Munich.
Number of staff in 2010
Munich
3 718
The Hague
2 710
Berlin
274
Vienna
112
Brussels
Total
4
6 818
Around 60% are
patent examiners
Staff from 31 different countries (2010)
Country
Number of staff
Country
Number of staff
AT
Austria
237
IS
Iceland
BE
Belgium
359
IT
Italy
BG
Bulgaria
35
LT
Lithuania
CH
Switzerland
74
LU
Luxembourg
CY
Cyprus
8
LV
Latvia
5
CZ
Czech Republic
20
MT
Malta
2
DE
Germany
1 851
NL
Netherlands
DK
Denmark
75
PL
Poland
62
EE
Estonia
7
PT
Portugal
87
ES
Spain
447
RO
Romania
115
FI
Finland
49
SE
Sweden
125
FR
France
1 225
SI
Slovenia
14
GB
United Kingdom
507
SK
Slovakia
15
GR
Greece
165
TR
Turkey
29
HR
Croatia
2
Others
2
HU
Hungary
29
IE
Ireland
82
Total
1
507
4
69
609
6 818
Job opportunities
Jobs at the European Patent Office
Types of jobs for candidates holding a university degree (A grades)
• Examiners:
 play a decisive role in the grant of new patents in Europe
 in a wide range of technical areas (14 Clusters)
 permanent employees
• Other roles
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
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Lawyers
Translators
Administrators (human resources, finance, controlling ...)
permanent employees and contractors
Work as a patent examiner
 Top-level engineers and scientists
• high degree of technical expertise
• knowledge of the EPO's three official languages
 Training during first two years
• extensive legal and procedural training
• individual coaching by experienced examiners
 Continuing professional development throughout career
• language courses
Who are we looking for?
 Diploma of completed studies at university level (Masters
Degree) or - in exceptional cases - equivalent professional
experience.
 Candidates must have an excellent knowledge of one official
language of the EPO (English, French and German) and ability to
understand the other two.
 Nationals of one of the member states
 Work experience is not required but would be an advantage
What do we offer?
 Long-term employment in an international environment at
the forefront of technology
 Good work/life balance
 Professional development opportunities
 Attractive salary, pension scheme, social security
package and good working conditions
How to apply?
 All our vacancies are posted online:
http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies.html
 online application form linked from each vacancy notice
Internships
1. Legal & International Affairs
In which units are placements possible?
3.0
5.1
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
5.2.5
5.2.6
5.3.1
5.3.4
5.4
5.0.2
Legal Research and Administration
Patent Information and European Co-operation
Patent Law
International Legal Affairs
International Affairs
Legal Division/Patent Administration
International and Legal PCT Affairs
IP5/Trilateral Affairs and International Organisations
Institutional and General Legal Matters
Legal Services The Hague
European Patent Academy
Brussels Bureau
What do we offer?
 learn about the unit's activities
 improve the knowledge acquired during your studies
 become acquainted with various aspects of the European patent system
 gain first-hand experience in an international organisation
Internships
1. Legal & International Affairs
Availability
The number of places available is limited and reviewed for each year.
There are two sessions per year: March to June - September to December.
Applicants must:
 University degree (in patent law or intellectual property).
 have a very good knowledge of one of the EPO's official languages (English, French and German)
and a good knowledge of another.
 be nationals of one of the EPO member states
 take out your own health insurance.
How do you apply?
Please submit your application on-line via our website.
You will find it as well as further information on the internet under:
http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies/internships/graduates.html
Internships
2. Science & Engineering
In which Technical fields in Munich, The Hague and Berlin are placements possible?
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mechanical engineering
civil engineering
chemistry
electronics
electricity
physics
computers
What do we offer?
 training on IP in general, the patent granting process and classification systems as well as the
tools used by examiners
 re-classify patent applications under the supervision of an examiner
 get an insight into the latest R&D trends
 report on your experiences to your tutor and the HR department
Internships
2. Science & Engineering
Availability
The number of places available is limited and reviewed for each year.
There are several sessions each year. The next one starts in January 2012 in Berlin.
Applicants must:
 hold a bachelor's degree (or have completed university studies at an equivalent level) and currently
be enrolled in a college or university
 speak English fluently. Knowledge of German and/or French would be an advantage.
 be a national of one of the EPO member states
 take out your own health insurance.
How do you apply?
Please submit your application on-line via our website.
You will find it as well as further information on the internet under:
http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies/internships/science-engineering.html
Thank you for your attention