Trainee Patent Attorney – Physics or Electrical/Electronic/Power/Mechanical Engineering

Applications are now open for our first round of assessments for our 2025 graduate scheme. We have an opportunity in our Manchester office for a graduate with a background in Physics or Electrical, Electronic, Power or Mechanical Engineering. 

This role is an exciting opportunity to work across a number of different technology areas, as you will work across both our Electronics and Engineering practices. Therefore, it is imperative that anyone with a Mechanical Engineering degree has significant study or experience in electronics. This will be assessed throughout the application process. We are particularly interested to hear from anyone with a Power Engineering degree or significant study in this area.

As a graduate entrant, we will give you full support to achieve qualification as a chartered UK and European patent attorney. We run our own comprehensive in-house ‘Training Academy’ which combines tutorials, and lectures as well as mentoring and supervision from partners and other qualified attorneys. In addition, you will also gain a range of commercial skills, such as business development and client care, as part of our on-going personal development programme.

Please visit the graduate section of our website for more information about our Training Academy.

Applications close on Sunday 24 November 2024. We anticipate first round interviews will take place 9-20 December 2024. First round interviews will take place via video call and we are aiming to run second round interviews in person, in early January 2025. Please note you will not hear from us about your application until after the deadline. 

Requirements

We are looking for someone with a scientific background in Physics or Electrical, Electronic, Power or Mechanical Engineering. 

On your application, it is important that you state which modules you have studied so that we are able to assess the suitability of your technical background – particularly if you have a Mechanical Engineering background.  

You will need to have gained (or be expecting to achieve) at least a 2:1 degree in your subject. We also welcome applications from those completing a doctorate, undertaking postgraduate research, or working in industry.

You need to have a natural curiosity to find out how things work, excellent communication skills, and meticulous attention to detail. You need to demonstrate technical excellence, an interest in the commercial world, and an appreciation of the importance of intellectual property to businesses.

Working as a patent attorney requires not only an excellent technical and academic background, but also the ability to draft comprehensive documents and defend complex legal arguments. It is a challenging and rewarding role, enabling you to be involved with leading edge research as well as understanding and supporting the commercial objectives of a diverse client base worldwide.

Benefits

• Competitive salary dependent on qualification and experience
• 26 days’ annual holiday, plus statutory holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gymflex scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Payment of membership fees to professional bodies required for the role
• Exam and study leave
• Hybrid working
• Access to mental health and wellbeing information and support
• Discounts portal (retail, travel, days out etc.)