Company
GSK is a cutting-edge research-based pharmaceutical company, famed for its commitment to innovation. As
a world leader in the area of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and healthcare products, we have a commanding
position in the global healthcare market. Our Global Patents (GP) department enjoys a high profile within the
company and plays a key role in protecting our R&D investment and activities. We regard the protection of
our Intellectual Property assets as crucial to our continuing success. The GP group as a whole provides
support via patent teams that are aligned with research sites in Europe and the US. A specific group is
dedicated to providing support to the Company’s vaccine business. Operating a pro-active patenting policy,
this department encourages close contact with scientists and senior management.
Job description
We are currently looking for high calibre qualified Patent Attorneys, to join the Vaccine patent group in
Wavre (close to Brussels) or to join the Vaccine patent group in Siena (Italy) to support the research groups
based in Belgium or in Siena, respectively. Successful candidates will face the full range of patent challenges
associated with protecting and defending today’s products and the product opportunities of tomorrow;
including a high proportion of direct-client, transactional and EPO opposition work. Successful candidates
will be involved in the whole variety of IP challenges you would associate with managing products at all
different stages of lifecycle.
This role will service the needs of the division from a global perspective. Reporting to the local member fo
the Patent Leadership team, and with all the members of GSK Global Patent team, the successful candidate
will manage, direct and leverage the patent issues arising from a dedicated portfolio. This translates to full
patent life cycle management from invention harvesting through to worldwide prosecution and managing
post-grant issues. To that end, strong preparation and prosecution skills are key to the position. There will be
an ongoing emphasis on working closely with the R&D functions in building solid working relationships with
the scientists. The role responsibilities will require the attorney to advise on other business units on IP rights
and issues, and the appointee should therefore have an appreciation of the organisation’s wider commercial
objectives.
As GSK Vaccines possesses an inter-disciplinary structure, it is essential that the successful candidate
possesses the technical understanding and commercial acumen required to forge close working relationships
with a variety of personnel from related functions, including R&D, Legal and Business Development.
Ultimately, this position will suit someone with an open, enthusiastic and ambitious personality who enjoys
both the commercial applications of IP and the operational duties associated with patent protection.
Qualifications
To take advantage of this opportunity you will need a first degree in a Life Science, preferably with a PhD.
Ideally, you will have achieved qualification as a European Patent Attorney or you will have a national Patent
Attorney qualification. Applications from exceptional candidates close to qualification are also welcomed.
You will also have experience of patents in the Life Science field, either in private practice or industry. You
will have excellent written and oral skills in English and will preferably have a proficiency in French or Italian.
The job further requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, and the candidate should enjoy
working in a culture that is change-orientated, entrepreneurial and fast-moving.
Candidates must also be able to demonstrate the following personal qualities:
 Possess the initiative and experience required to administer a patent portfolio with a minimum of
supervision;
 Be highly motivated, with the ability to pro-actively organise a challenging workload;
 Possess excellent interpersonal skills together with the ability to relate easily at all levels within the
organisation;
 Be flexible, adaptable and comfortable working within a multicultural, high-achieving company with
high standards of ethics and behavior;
 Be focused with an attention to detail balanced by sound common sense;
 Possess exceptional verbal and written presentation skills;
 Be able to demonstrate a commercial approach to their work and an understanding of the needs of
the business;
This opportunity promises excellent long-term career progression within a leading multinational corporation.
Future prospects are excellent for those candidates who can demonstrate a pro-active attitude and who are
dedicated to the company and its continuing success. The appointee will be the individual who most closely
meets these requirements and who is keen to accept the challenges offered by this important position.
If you feel you have what it takes and are interested in joining a world-class growing life science company, please
visit our career site and apply via
https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_gsk/external1931/gateway.do?functionName=viewFromLink&jobP
ostId=276260&localeCode=en-us