PanEuropeanSeal YP in Economics & Finance

Check out the units which are participating in the Pan-European Seal Young Professionals Programme 2025/2026 and let us know your preference when applying: 

Chief Economist Unit

The Chief Economist Unit is responsible inter alia for the preparation of reports, data-driven tools and case studies analysing technology trends, the economic impact of the patent system, and the commercialisation of new technologies. The work of the unit is strongly data-driven and carried out in close collaboration with the EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology and the Chief Business Analyst.
You will be involved in data preparation, statistical analyses, and studies and dashboards combining patent data and economic data, with a focus on topics such as European startups, universities, research organisations, technology transfer offices and inventor careers.
 

Revenue Controls

The Treasury and Accounting Directorate is responsible for preparing interim and annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS, as well as managing the EPO's treasury operations. Beyond these core financial functions, the directorate is committed to continuous improvement and actively participates in projects aimed at optimising accounting processes, workflows and systems.
As part of the ongoing transformation in Finance to ensure long-term financial sustainability, you will play an integral role in modernising and optimising financial workflows while enhancing integration with the patent-to-grant process. You will also contribute to the redesign, automation and standardisation of financial operations and reporting processes within the SAP S/4HANA environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in financial transformation, process optimisation and digital innovation within a dynamic international organisation.
 

Administration of the Reserve Funds for Pensions and Social Security (RFPSS)

The Fund Administration directorate is the competence centre for asset management of the Reserve Funds of the European Patent Organisation. The Portfolio Management team is responsible for managing the Reserve Funds' investment portfolios in accordance with financial regulations, the investment procedures of the RFPSS and the mandates given by the Fund Administrator. This involves monitoring and analysing financial market information, devising and implementing portfolio strategies, including trade execution, controlling portfolio risk and reporting. Moreover, Portfolio Management performs an advisory role to the Fund Administrator during the periodic reassessments of the Reserve Funds' strategic asset allocation. Assets under management amount to around EUR 13bn and comprise investments in nine asset classes (three equity portfolios, five bond portfolios including cash and one listed real estate portfolio).
You will support the Portfolio Management team in both routine activities and special projects as they arise. Your responsibilities will include drafting reports, such as on economic indicators, conducting quantitative analysis projects and contributing to the due diligence of systematic investment strategies. Additionally, you will assist with qualitative investment strategies, support Portfolio Management in various projects (e.g. Investment Management Platform, ESG Topics), participate in the generation of investment ideas and conduct document checks.
 

Patent Analytics

The Patent Analytics team, as part of the Chief Economist Unit, is responsible inter alia for the preparation of reports, data-driven tools and services, case studies analysing technology trends and the commercialisation of new technologies. The work of the unit, carried out in close collaboration with the EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology, is strongly data-driven but also involves transforming results into digestible graphical information, visualisation and textual content.
You will be involved in data preparation, statistical analyses, visualisation, reports and dashboards combining patent data and other data, in different technical areas while also supporting the administration of various activities within the team.
 

Finance Partners

The Finance Partners act as the key link between Principal Directorate Finance and the wider business. Each Directorate General (DG) has an assigned Finance Partner who is the key point of contact and advisor for all financial matters (e.g. budgeting, forecasting, budget execution) within the respective DG.
You will be involved in the delivery of the budget and forecast cycles, coordinating the timely submissions from individual business units. Further, you will contribute to associated financial planning and analysis tasks (e.g. variance and trend analysis) as well as preparing clear and concise communication material on financial topics.

Performance Management

The nature of the business of Principal Directorate (PD) General Administration requires a local focus, thereby creating the need for harmonisation and central coordination. Directorate Planning and its Performance Management team therefore provides support to all PD units in all areas that need transversal harmonisation. Performance Management covers financial control and target setting as well as the definition and monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs). Quality management and ISO compliance ensures that processes provide their intended outcomes while remaining in line with relevant regulation and guidelines.
You will support the updating of ISO standard documentation and contribute to the follow-up of audit recommendations. Additionally, you will assist in refining and executing the PD General Administration's risk management process, contribute to the definition and operation of KPIs and collect, analyse and present data on performance metrics.

Portfolio Management and Project Office

The nature of the business of Principal Directorate (PD) General Administration and Building Management requires a local focus thereby creating the need for harmonisation and central coordination. Directorate Planning and its Portfolio Management and Project Office team therefore provides support to all PD units in all areas that need transversal harmonisation. This includes managing the building project portfolio process to effectively and sustainably prioritise building works, overseeing budget planning, execution, cost control, and reporting to top management, as well as coordinating the financial control and reporting of all PD projects.
You will be involved in checking and summarising project reports, developing timelines, overseeing financial reporting and supporting project managers in their reporting of our EUR 250m building investment programme. Additionally, you will assist in the portfolio management process by helping to assess planned initiatives and manage the agenda and minutes of the weekly board meeting.

IT Investments

The IT investments team is responsible for all related financial and sourcing matters within the EPO's Business Information Technology (BIT) unit, together with stakeholders in the BIT business units, Procurement and Finance departments. The team supports and consolidates the planning, execution, forecasting and reporting of BIT needs to purchase software, hardware and services.
You will be working on the financial aspects of the Strategic Plan, as well as supporting artifacts defined by the IT investments team. This includes further standardisation and digitalisation of financial and sourcing related work processes, maintenance of the team's processes and documentation as well as operational support activities.

Purchasing

Central Procurement is a professional, value-adding partner to its stakeholders for all matters related to suppliers, markets, competition, tenders, contract performance and spend, thereby greatly contributing to the initiatives of the Strategic Plan 2028 related to sustainability, process effectiveness, efficiency and transparency. The goal of the Purchasing team within Central Procurement is to deliver operational excellence of the source-to-pay process.
You will participate in source-to-pay operations utilising the eProcurement platform PasP (Procurement and Sourcing Portal based on IValua technology). Additionally, you will engage in data analysis and reporting to establish key performance indicators for operational procurement. Your role will also include providing administrative support and making dedicated contributions to ongoing projects aimed at enhancing the IValua-based procurement process. Furthermore, you will assist in the implementation of the Procurement Roadmap.