Young Professionals Programme in International Relations and Communication

Are you a recent graduate interested in the world of intellectual property and looking for your first employment experience?
The European Patent Office (EPO) invites applications for the Young Professionals Programme in International Relations and Communication, starting in September 2026. Young Professionals are recruited across a wide range of technical and corporate areas and will work at one of the EPO’s sites in Munich, The Hague, Vienna, Berlin or Brussels.

The programme is designed to attract and develop high-potential graduates who are motivated to grow, take on responsibility and contribute in a complex, international environment. It offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience, apply academic knowledge in a professional setting, and develop skills that are relevant across disciplines.
Depending on the assignment, Young Professionals contribute to meaningful tasks and deepen their understanding of how intellectual property is applied in practice within an international organisation.

Opportunities in the area of International Relations & Communication

Depending on the department, your role may involve, for example:

• Supporting strategic, institutional and policy-related activities, including preparation of briefings, reports, concept papers and background analyses for senior management and decision-making bodies
• Contributing to internal and external communication activities, including campaign planning, content creation, storytelling, digital communication, events and outreach initiatives
• Assisting with stakeholder engagement and international cooperation, including preparation and follow-up of meetings, missions and visits with EU institutions, member states, international partners, users and academia
• Supporting governance, quality and coordination activities, including documentation, reporting, meeting organisation, minutes, dashboards and follow-up actions
• Contributing to user engagement, education and outreach initiatives, including preparation of training materials, support to academic programmes, quality-focused dialogue with users, and cooperation with innovation and IP networks
• Supporting analysis, reporting and monitoring activities, including research on policy, innovation or IP-related topics, preparation of management information, and contribution to data-driven communication and engagement activities

With us you will:

• Enjoy a year-long paid programme in a field of interest, with the possibility to apply for up to two additional years on the programme
• Benefit from a tailored training and development programme, covering IP-specific topics, language learning and career guidance
• Learn on the job, supported by a tutor and experienced colleagues
• Work with colleagues from a wide variety of cultural and professional backgrounds
• Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and innovative environment
• Feel empowered to grow in your role and take on responsibilities
• Be among the first to see the latest inventions

Programme requirements

You should apply if you meet the following criteria:

• You come from one of the listed universities
• You are a national of one of the EPO’s member states
• You hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• You have excellent knowledge of one of the EPO’s official languages (English, French or German)

We are looking for talented graduates with the potential to grow, strong analytical thinking, and the ability to contribute effectively in a collaborative working environment.

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.

Our vision
We will empower and motivate our staff to set worldwide standards in intellectual property. Our Office will be effective and transparent, respond to the needs of our users and be agile in managing the changing demands and conditions of a dynamic global patent system. Our work will contribute to a safer, smarter and more sustainable world.

Our values
All our relationships within our Office and with partners around the world will prosper through trust, fairness, mutual respect, adaptability, collaboration and a commitment to excellence.

pan-europeanseal@epo.org

jobinfo@epo.org