Trainee Patent Attorney (full-time – Sittard) 

This is what you are going to be doing

From day one you will be working under the supervision of a patent attorney. We will start with the basics, such as novelty, inventive step and infringement. The more you learn about patent law, the more you will be able to do, such as answer letters from the patent councils, co-write patent applications and advise clients on their intellectual property. In the longer term new client acquisition will also be a key task.

The position involves a lot of on-the-job training. Once you have gained enough practical experience, you will start the external training programme to become a Dutch patent attorney. In the long term we are looking for an independently operating patent attorney, who could potentially become a partner at EP&C at some point in the future. 

A day as a trainee patent attorney

Fortunately you are not just familiar with chemistry but are also good at presenting arguments. This comes in handy as today you will start by drafting a reply to the patent council. They think your client's invention is not inventive enough. You will explain in writing why, in your opinion, it is. In the afternoon, you will attend a meeting with a client about their patent application. You will ask them all about their innovation so that you can figure out how to minimise their exposure to other companies' patents. 

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Gerrie Hoogendam, Patent Attorney at EP&C Sittard: "In this job, you can really help clients to protect or increase the value of their business. That requires good listening and strategic thinking skills. I like the fact that at EP&C Sittard we start out from what is best for the client's business." 

This is who you are

  • Successfully completed university education in the field of chemistry.
  • Good command of the English language.
  • Flexible; you put your shoulders to the wheel when needed and get flexibility in return.
  • Driven by quality and by doing the right thing for your client.
  • Frankness when it comes to sharing your vision with your colleagues. 

This is the team

You'll find our Sittard office in a beautiful old mansion. Here we mainly work for clients in the chemical industry in the broadest sense of the word. One minute you will be immersing yourself in paint pigments and the next in a polymer composition for a mobile phone. You will be the first to see the innovations that are being devised in all kinds of chemical application areas. 

EP&C Sittard has the best of both worlds: the short lines of communication of a small office and the facilities and network of a large organisation through our head office EP&C Rijswijk. In Sittard, you will work with a team of two patent attorneys and six support staff. The team spirit is good; we do the work together. There is respect for all opinions and everyone is equally important. 

This is EP&C

EP&C Patent Attorneys has been successful in protecting intellectual property of innovative companies for 85 years. So in your work you will see fascinating innovations even before they reach the market. The secret of our long success is that we also keep innovating ourselves. We take a fresh and contemporary look at leadership, our own work and developments in our field. 

EP&C feels like a warm bath to all employees. At EP&C you never have to pretend to be something you're not. Everyone is welcome and can be themselves. This is because we believe that differences are enriching. Our work matters, but so does our private life. That is why we make sure together that there is a good balance. 

This is what we offer

Appreciation is important to us at EP&C. Just like your development and well-being. That is why we offer you the following employment conditions:

  • A competitive salary.
  • A 13th month and 8% holiday pay.
  • An annual contract for 32 - 37.5 hours per week with the prospect of a permanent contract.
  • Training through the EP&C Academy.
  • A good work-life balance.
  • Opportunity to occasionally work from home (after you have completed your training to become a patent attorney).

This is how you apply 

If this has made you enthusiastic about this job and you can see yourself as one of our colleagues send a cover letter with your reasons for applying together with your CV to jobs@epc.nl attn Ellen Offenberg. You can also email or call her if you have any questions about the application procedure. Ellen can be contacted on 070-414 54 42.

If you want to find out more about the job first, please call Patent Attorney Gerrie Hoogendam on 046 411 39 90 or send an e-mail to gerrie.hoogendam@epc.nl