European Patent Examiner in Computer

Job Description

At the European Patent Office (EPO), we explore breakthrough technologies before they reach the public. As a patent examiner, you'll assess whether inventions meet the criteria for patent protection, and in doing so support innovation that improves lives, drives industries and shapes the future.

Your role and impact

As a Patent Examiner, you will:

• examine patent applications – including technical documentation and drawings – in one of our official languages (English, French or German)
• analyse new inventions to evaluate their novelty and inventive step
• conduct in-depth research across scientific and technical fields to identify the most relevant prior art
• apply legal and procedural frameworks to make clear, high-quality decisions on whether a patent should be granted
• communicate your findings clearly and constructively with applicants and other parties
• collaborate with international colleagues in a diverse and inclusive environment
• maintain high-quality standards with strong attention to detail and scientific rigour
• contribute to Europe's innovation ecosystem by ensuring fair and consistent application of the European Patent Convention (EPC) and related legal texts

Your profile

We're looking for expertise in at least one of these fields:

• Distributed Computing & CPU (operating system management and operating system administration, embedded systems design and implementation, IT system infrastructure management incl. servers and hardware components, design and management of cloud infrastructure and cloud environments, virtualisation platforms)
• Error Detection & Correction (monitoring of computer systems, software testing and debugging, performance monitoring and testing, fault tolerance, software and hardware redundancy, backup strategy, and management)
• ICT security (cryptography, application security, wireless security, Identity and Access Management (IAM), cloud security, cybersecurity, blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI) alignment, safety, or security)
• Interactive and Visual Computing (Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), computer Vision, image processing)
• Software Execution (software development techniques and paradigms, software design principles, code compilation and generation, source code management with version control, software deployment, virtualisation and container technologies, program loading and dynamic linking, user interface technologies, and remote desktop systems)

You will thrive with us if you

• have a solid background and relevant expertise in the specified fields, built up during your studies, in projects, and/or as a result of professional experience
• enjoy deep technical analysis, reading technical drawings and solving intellectual puzzles
• are open to learning patent law, are eager to acquire new skills and to develop your knowledge of technologies in different fields
• are curious, detail-oriented, open-minded and an analytical thinker
• value both independent work and team collaboration
• are comfortable making structured, evidence-based decisions

No prior IP (intellectual property) experience? No problem.

We provide full legal and procedural training to get you started.

Our minimum requirements for this post

• Diploma of completed studies at master's level covering one or more technical fields mentioned above
• Excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one of our official languages (English, French and German) and the ability to understand the other two; alternatively, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of English (in such cases, the willingness to learn the missing languages and to reach level B2 within a set time frame would be required)
• Work experience in industry would be an advantage
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation

What we offer

• 30+ days of annual leave + flexible working arrangements
• generous remote work policy: work from anywhere in the country of employment; up to 60 days from abroad (EPC states)
• family-friendly policies: childcare, education and relocation support
• pension and insurance: excellent social security coverage
• training and development: legal training, technical upskilling and mobility opportunities
• facilities: on-site gym, health services, staff clubs and more (depending on location)

Why join us?

✓ See the latest inventions and enable innovation ✓ Work with inspiring people from a variety of cultures ✓ Develop yourself and take on an intellectual challenge

Who we are

We are the patent office for Europe. We are proud to deliver high-quality patents and efficient services that foster innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.

🖂 jobinfo@epo.org