Company Description

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group.

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.

Job Description

Help protect our discovery of tomorrow’s crop protection products as Patent Attorney in our Intellectual Property team. In this high-profile, autonomous role, you’ll draft and prosecute patent applications, assess the validity of third-party patent rights, and advise on infringement and litigation issues. The role will involve occasional travel to our business headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and to other Syngenta sites overseas.

Ideally having a background in biochemistry or chemistry, you’ll be a European patent attorney with solid experience of natural products and fermentation technology. Well organized and calm under pressure, you’ll have an eye for detail and be able to manage your own workload.

The position will involve all aspects of Crop Protection IP practice with particular emphasis on:

• Drafting patent applications, and worldwide patent filing, prosecution and defense for crop protection-related inventions relating to small molecules (both chemical and biological, as well as natural products), manufacturing processes and formulation technology and engineering.
• Promoting and delivering the innovative use of IP as an integral part of Crop Protection business strategies; developing global, regional and country IP strategies for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Advising the business with respect to freedom-to-operate of projects, products and programs.
• Client counselling, evaluating patent validity and infringement issues, reviewing IP-related agreements and managing an IP portfolio.

Qualifications

• Fully Qualified European Patent Attorney within 5 years post qualification. Having dual qualification as UK registered patent attorney or relevant national equivalent in addition is preferred.
• Degree, preferably PhD, in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Natural Sciences or experience dealing with natural products and fermentation technology.
• Excellent oral and written communication, problem-solving and organizational skills required.
• Strong interpersonal and team building skills.
• Self-initiative and self-direction, ability to work independently.
• Ability to proactively identify issues and propose and implement solutions.
• Ability to effectively and constructively interact with various functions at all levels of the organization.

Additional information

As well as offering a competitive base salary, at Syngenta we value total reward which includes the benefits we offer to our employees. We support well-being, offering comprehensive benefits including flexible working, generous holiday entitlement, discretionary bonus scheme, competitive pension scheme, private medical insurance, employee assistance programme.

• Jealott’s Hill offers a campus environment, with many site events including science talks and celebrations of international days
• Employee groups offering events for all employees, D&I, and cultural celebrations.
• Up to 31.5 days holiday
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees
• Flexible working

 Recruitment Process & Timelines 

• Interviews: Nov-Dec 2024
• Decision/Offer: Jan-Feb 2025 (estimated)