1. Job opportunities at the European Patent Office
Christos Dimopoulos
Head of the Vice-President's Office
International/Legal Affairs (DG5)

2. About us

3. Locations 3 The EPO has offices at five different locations.
Its headquarters are in Munich. 3

4. Number of staff in 2010 Around 60% are patent examiners Munich 3 718
The Hague
2 710
Berlin
274
Vienna
112
Brussels 4
Total
6 818 4

5. Staff from 31 different countries (2010)
Country Number of staff
AT Austria
237
BE Belgium
359
BG Bulgaria 35
CH Switzerland 74
CY Cyprus 8
CZ Czech Republic 20
ES Spain
447
DE Germany
1 851
DK Denmark 75
EE Estonia 7
FI Finland 49
FR France
1 225
GB United Kingdom
507
GR Greece
165
HU Hungary 29
IE Ireland 82
HR Croatia 2
Country Number of staff
IT Italy
507
LT Lithuania 4
LU Luxembourg 69
LV Latvia 5
MT Malta 2
NL Netherlands
609
SE Sweden
125
PL Poland 62
PT Portugal 87
RO Romania
115
SI Slovenia 14
SK Slovakia 15
TR Turkey 29
Others
Total
6 818
IS Iceland 1 5

6. Job opportunities

7. 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
Lawyers
Translators
Administrators (human resources, finance, controlling ...)
permanent employees and contractors

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. How to apply? All our vacancies are posted online:
online application form linked from each vacancy notice

12. Internships 1. Legal & International Affairs
In which units are placements possible?
3.0 Legal Research and Administration
5.1 Patent Information and European Co-operation
5.2.1 Patent Law
5.2.2 International Legal Affairs
5.2.3 International Affairs
5.2.4 Legal Division/Patent Administration
5.2.5 International and Legal PCT Affairs
5.2.6 IP5/Trilateral Affairs and International Organisations
5.3.1 Institutional and General Legal Matters
5.3.4 Legal Services The Hague
5.4 European Patent Academy
5.0.2 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

13. 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:

14. Internships 2. Science & Engineering
In which Technical fields in Munich, The Hague and Berlin are placements possible?
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

15. 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:

16. Thank you for your attention