Job Description

Trainee Patent Attorney required at Schlich for a Autumn-Winter 2024 start to assist our Biotech and Life Sciences team.

Based in Littlehampton on the south coast of England, we have a growing, dynamic and friendly team.  We are continually expanding both our client base and our personnel and are looking for one or two ideal candidates who will enhance our team.

You should have at least a Bachelors’ degree in biochemistry, biology, chemistry (or similar technical qualification). A Masters’ degree or PhD is preferred but not necessary

The position available is with our biotech and life-sciences clients; initially to support the attorneys that handle these clients and in time to assume greater management and client-facing responsibility.

The duties associated with the job role principally consist of dealing with clients, associates and suppliers in providing patent and/or trade mark attorney services, including drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications in the UK, Europe and internationally.  This work will be carried out liaising with and reporting to other attorneys and company managers.

Comprehensive in-house and external training will be provided with the aim of achieving qualification as a UK and European Patent Attorney. Training in other areas, e.g. trade marks and designs, is also available.

You will be expected to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and attention to detail, strong oral and written communication and an ability to work to tight deadlines. However, we encourage anyone with relevant experience, skills and qualifications to apply and are happy to make reasonable adjustments where necessary.

We believe that trainee attorneys benefit greatly from face-to-face supervision along with support from other team members. Thus, the hours for this role are Monday – Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, at our office in Littlehampton. We have fully paperless records and office systems so opportunities for remote working may be offered later in employment, but this is unlikely to be offered for a period of at least one year (subject to requested and approved reasonable adjustments).

The salary for this role will be in line with qualifications and industry norms.

We are an equal opportunities employer and a signatory of IP Inclusive’s EDI Charter. Though we are only able to consider applicants who are eligible to work in the UK,  we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.

Please click below to apply – Applications MUST include a CV and brief covering letter, including details of 2 referees and any requests for reasonable adjustments (for the application, interview and/or induction process) you wish to make, addressed to Keira Denton.