SRG are working with one of the world’s largest agrochemical and seeds companies with over 50,000 employees worldwide. We are looking to recruit a trainee patent attorney at our research centre at Jealott’s Hill near Bracknell, Berkshire.

This is a rare opportunity to enter the patent attorney profession in a leading global research-based company.  In due course, would expect the trainee to qualify as both a UK Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney.  The qualification process includes some very challenging professional examinations and the transition to the patents profession is not to be undertaken lightly. The preparation for the examinations requires the investment of a significant amount of personal time in addition to learning through experience at work. There are currently six patent attorneys at their Jealott’s Hill site (and over 40 patent professionals worldwide), six of which qualified as attorneys while working there, and so they have significant experience of providing the right training support. This company will give significant on-the-job training as well as support with external training courses and the examinations themselves.

Initially, the work is likely to relate to research projects in chemistry and formulation at Jealott’s Hill, but may involve projects at other research sites such as Stein, near Basel in Switzerland.

About the job:

Reflecting the exciting technology spaces in which our clients operate, you will work closely with colleagues across our chemistry practice group but also with attorneys from our life sciences and engineering, technology and physics practice groups, as well as our solicitors and trade mark team. We take a holistic approach to IP and that will be a theme throughout your training and beyond.

Job requirements:

• A good first degree in chemistry or biochemistry/ or master’s / PhD in the organic chemistry field
• Synthetic organic chemistry experience.
• Organic chemistry research experience in a commercial organization.

Looking to the future, we are looking for much more than technical ability or an interest in technology. The ideal candidate will have, or quickly develop, a sense of the commercial value of the work that they are undertaking and will be able to prioritise their efforts so as to maximize their value to the company. In time, we expect our trainees to develop into well-rounded business partners; experts in the patents field but able to advise or give input on a wide range of issues. Openness and excellent communication skills will be vital to success in our global matrix organization. A proactive, assertive but collegiate outlook is essential along with the ability to develop and nurture relationships with colleagues within the wider legal function as well as in other functions and in the numerous commercial areas.

The position is for an initial probationary period on a fixed contract basis. This probationary period could be up to four years subject to regular performance reviews.