The European Patent Office in Munich
in Directorate 5.2 - Patent Law and Multilateral Affairs
(renewable 5-year contract)
Deadline for applications: 23.01.2012
Main duties
The Principal Director Patent Law and Multilateral Affairs (PD 5.2) is responsible for the Office's internal and external relations in patent law and industrial property law matters, and in particular for:
preparing the legal framework for the EPO's work in connection with the unitary patent
giving advice, in-house and externally, on the application of the European Patent Convention (EPC) and other international patent treaties (especially the Patent Cooperation Treaty), and on the development of EU law related to patents
the development and harmonisation of European, international and national patent law and practice
relations with the EPC contracting states, third countries, international organisations (especially the EU and WIPO) and users of the European patent system.
Accordingly, PD 5.2
advises EPO senior management, especially the Vice-President DG 5, and other EPO departments on all matters within the principal directorate's remit
advises states and international organisations on patent legislation and practice
prepares and negotiates bilateral and multilateral agreements
represents the EPO on international bodies within WIPO, the EU and other organisations, especially those representing users of the patent system
comments on fundamental patent issues, and makes proposals for the reform of European and international patent law
organises consultations of those affected by such reform, especially users of the European patent system.
As head of the principal directorate, PD 5.2 is also responsible for its component directorates: "Patent Law", "International Legal Affairs, PCT ", "Legal Division" and "International Organisations, Trilateral and IP5".
The ideal candidate will have
many years' professional experience in industrial property, especially patents
in-depth knowledge of European and international patent law, including its economic and political context
excellent knowledge of the EU's institutions, governance and patent-related projects, especially the unitary patent and European Patent Court
proven ability to develop networks among stakeholders and to promote ideas in different economic and political circles
several years' management experience.
Minimum qualifications
Diploma of completed law studies at university level or - in exceptional cases - equivalent knowledge acquired over many years of qualified work. Excellent knowledge of one official language and ability to understand the other two.
The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, supplemented by an interview.
The interviews will take place in Munich
Application until: 23.01.2012
Please apply by sending us your online application
Instructions for online job applications to the European Patent Office
* Grade A6
** English, French and German
