Associate Patent Examiner: Chemistry

at  Intellectual Property Office

JOB SUMMARY

Please note: Applicants should review all aspects of this advert to ensure a thorough understanding. If reviewing via a screen reader, please note that the Job Description, Benefits and How to Apply sections have been emphasised
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 people who have a specialist knowledge of chemistry. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates with knowledge and experience of electrochemistry, for example battery, hydrogen fuel cell and electroplating technologies. We also particularly welcome applications from candidates with knowledge and experience of organic and polymer chemistry.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must hold at least a 2:2 degree in chemistry or be on track to receive one by the end of the academic year.
Alternatively, applicants must demonstrate equivalent proficiency through substantial industrial experience in technical roles.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• Evidence your established knowledge in chemistry detailing how you have applied and embedded your technical knowledge in practical situations, for example through research project, industrial or laboratory experience.
• The 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:

• Evidence your established knowledge in chemistry detailing how you have applied and embedded your technical knowledge in practical situations, for example through research project, industrial or laboratory experience.

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,958, Intellectual Property Office contributes £10,127 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

When working at the IPO you can also expect:

• 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
• 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 at Intellectual 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

EXPERIENCE

Please refer to the person specification and, in no more 500 words, outline evidence of the skills, qualities and experience that you will bring to the role.

IPO ARE A UK VISA AND IMMIGRATION (UKVI) SKILLED WORKER LICENCE SPONSOR AND CAN SPONSOR EXCEPTIONAL TALENT UNDER THIS ROUTE.

This Associate Patent Examiner role is open to qualifying individuals who meet the CS Nationality Rules and the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
Please note: Applicants should be aware of the importance of holding a sufficient amount of time on current visas before requiring sponsorship.
Should you have any queries or require any assistance on this matter please contact the IPO Recruitment team at Recruitment@ipo.gov.uk prior to the closing of the post.
In line with Government guidance, successfully appointed candidates will need to provide documents for our Right to Work checks. Information on this will be sent within the invite to interview text.
If you require an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, then please let the recruitment team know via; recruitment@ipo.gov.uk.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

IF YOU REQUIRE ANY ROLE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Name: Kathryn Orme
Email: Kathryn.orme@ipo.gov.uk
For further information around the Civil Service recruitment process, please visit our civil service careers page - IPO – Recruitment Support, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk).