Trainee Patent Attorney(s) required at Schlich for a Summer-Autumn 2023 start to assist our Chemistry / Pharma / 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 Chemistry/Biochemistry (or similar technical qualification). A Masters’ degree or PhD is preferred but not necessary.

The positions available are with (i) our small molecule, start-up and drug discovery clients and (ii) our biotech and life-sciences clients; in both cases, 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, excellent attention to detail, strong oral and written communication and an ability to work to tight deadlines.

We believe that trainee attorneys benefit greatly from face-to-face supervision along with support from other team members. Thus, the hours 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 your employment, but this is unlikely to be offered for at least one year. The salary will be in line with qualifications and industry norms.

We are an equal opportunities employer and signatories of IP Inclusive’s EDI Charter. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, however we are only able to consider applicants who are eligible to work in the UK.

We encourage anyone with the relevant experience, skills and qualifications to apply and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments where necessary.

Applications with a CV and brief covering letter, including details of 2 referees and any requests for reasonable adjustments, should be sent to Keira Denton at kld@schlich.co.uk.