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Science & Engineering – Patent Granting Process (PGP)

Patent Granting Process

In the Patent Granting Process, Young Professionals work side by side with patent examiners, contributing to the examination of European patent applications across a broad range of scientific and engineering fields.

The role involves supporting the technical analysis of patent applications by reviewing descriptions, claims and drawings, familiarising yourself with new technologies, and helping to structure and organise technical information relevant to the examination process – always under the guidance of your tutor. You will also assist with technical searches and comparative assessments, gradually developing an understanding of how inventions are evaluated in practice. Much of the work is analytical and research-oriented, requiring focus, curiosity and the ability to engage deeply with complex technical material.

Through close collaboration with experienced colleagues, you gain insight into how technical reasoning and legal frameworks interact in the patent system, while continuously developing your own analytical skills. The role offers a unique opportunity to work close to innovation, apply your academic background in a new context, and build a solid foundation in intellectual property within an international environment.

Our areas of work in PGP (Patent Granting Process)

Advanced Comp. & Multimedia Techn.

Technical fields

  • AI and Advanced Computing Technologies
  • Camera, Stereoscopy, Video Games and Video Editing
  • Display Control

Ideal educational background

  • Computer engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Physics with a focus on electronics

Nice-to-have

  • More than introductory coursework in the relevant technical areas
  • Thesis and advanced courses in the relevant field

Advanced Mobile and Intelligent Networks

Technical fields

  • Resource Allocation

Ideal educational background

  • Telecommunications

Nice-to-have

  • Knowledge of standards in the telecommunications field (3GPP, ETSI, ORAN, IEEE)

Agri-Food & Tobacco

Technical fields

  • Food Technology & Nutrition

Ideal educational background

  • Advanced degree in food technology

Nice-to-have

  • No additional requirements beyond the above

Biotech & Immun., DNA, Peptides & Cells

Technical fields

  • DNA Analysis

Ideal educational background

  • Biotechnology
  • Immunology
  • Antibody-conjugates
  • Fermentation
  • Genetic engineering

Nice-to-have

No additional requirements beyond the above

Chem. Eng., Plastics, Printing & Packaging

Technical fields

  • Filter & Membrane
  • Composites
  • Lubricants
  • Moulding

Ideal educational background

  • Mechanical engineering
  • Chemical engineering
  • Materials engineering
  • Polymer or plastics engineering

Nice-to-have

  • Knowledge of composites or natural fibre materials
  • Knowledge of organic chemistry
  • Knowledge of English plus German and/or French

Coatings

Technical fields

  • Electrochemistry and energy-related coatings
  • Metallurgy and steel-related technologies
  • Thin film coatings
  • Welding
  • Grinding

Ideal educational background

  • Chemistry
  • Chemical engineering
  • Materials science
  • Metallurgy
  • Mechanical engineering

Nice-to-have

  • Focus on electrochemistry, batteries or fuel cells
  • Knowledge in steel or non-ferrous metallurgy, recycling, green steel
  • Knowledge of thin film coating techniques (PVD, CVD, ALD)
  • Practical experience in metal working, welding, grinding or machining
  • Knowledge of German

Electronics and Electromechanics

Technical fields

  • Basic Electronics, Antennas & Microwaves
  • Electrical Components & Devices
  • Alarm and Control Systems

Ideal educational background

  • Electrical or electronic engineering
  • Mechanical engineering with a focus on electromechanical components

Nice-to-have

  • Knowledge of analogue electronics and control systems
  • Knowledge of electrical power distribution components
  • Knowledge of German and/or French
  • Knowledge of AI

Electro-Mobility

Technical fields

  • Electro-Mobility
  • Cycles, Frames, Chains and Safety Systems
  • Steering & Chassis
  • Bearings & Suspension

Ideal educational background

  • Electrical engineering
  • Power engineering
  • Control engineering
  • Mechanical, electromechanical or mechatronics engineering

Nice-to-have

  • Knowledge in electric vehicles, power electronics or electric motor control
  • Knowledge related to control systems, autonomous driving or e-mobility
  • Knowledge of German and/or French

Energy

Technical fields

  • Electric Heating & Passive Elements
  • Electric Power Distribution

Ideal educational background

  • Electrical engineering
  • Electronic engineering
  • Physics or similar

Nice-to-have

  • Knowledge of German
  • Knowledge of the use of AI in general

Measurements and Optics

Technical fields

  • Weight, Temperature & Forces
  • General Optics
  • Ophthalmic Optics & Microscopes
  • Electrical Tests & Measurements
  • Imaging
  • Dimensional Metrology

Ideal educational background

  • Optics
  • Physics
  • Measurement technologies
  • Electrical engineering or electronics
  • Mechanical engineering with measurement or testing focus

Nice-to-have

  • Specialisation in optics or electronics
  • Experience with testing or experimental setups

Pharma, Chem. Comps. & Formulations

Technical fields

  • Cosmetics
  • Biopharma

Ideal educational background

  • Pharmacy
  • Chemistry
  • Biology or biotechnology with pharmaceutical or medical sciences
  • Medical or pharmaceutical sciences with biology or biotechnology

Nice-to-have

  • Knowledge of English plus French and/or German
  • Academic exposure to intellectual property
  • Additional laboratory experience or experience abroad

Polymers and Organic Chemistry

Technical fields

  • Acyclics, Carbocycles & Heterocycles
  • Biocide
  • Dyes, Sugars & Heterocycles
  • Heterocycles
  • Lubricants
  • Polycondensates & Polyacrylates

Ideal educational background

  • Organic chemistry
  • Chemical engineering
  • Polymer or macromolecular chemistry

Nice-to-have

  • Knowledge of French

Semiconductors

Technical fields

  • SC Connect & Process & Cool
  • Magnetics & Lithography
  • Memories, Lasers & OLEDs
  • SC Devices (Active / Passive)
  • LEDs, Plasma Beams & Wafer Bonding

Ideal educational background

  • Physicist
  • Electrical engineer
  • Mechanical engineer with a background in semiconductor technology

Nice-to-have

  • Semiconductor devices and manufacturing technology
  • Semiconductor manufacturing and process integration
  • Lithography systems (DUV, EUV, nanoimprint)
  • Semiconductor packaging and wafer bonding
  • Experience in semiconductor R&D and/or production

Curious? Apply now!

If you have found your perfect technical field, apply now!

More about the programme

EPO's Young Professionals Programme gives you the opportunity to grow your skills, build an international network, and launch a meaningful career at the heart of innovation. Learn more about the programme.

Science & Engineering - Corporate Areas

Energy Management
Mission & Impact
The nature of the business of General Administration requires a strong local focus supported by harmonisation and central coordination. The Planning directorate and its Performance Management team assist units in areas requiring transversal harmonisation. In addition to financial planning, quality management, ISO compliance and occupational safety, the team is responsible for Energy Management across the organisation.
Energy Management monitors, controls and optimises energy usage to improve efficiency, reduce costs and support environmental sustainability through advanced technologies, consumption analysis and best practice implementation.
What will the Young Professional do?
Data Monitoring & Analysis 
•    Collect, organise and analyse energy consumption data from utility bills, EMS/BEMS and other monitoring tools
•    Identify trends, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement
•    Support energy performance reports and dashboard preparation
Green Project Support 
•    Assist in planning and tracking energy efficiency initiatives
•    Research innovative green solutions and best practices
•    Support coordination with contractors and sustainability teams
EMS Support & Implementation 
•    Assist in deploying and optimising Energy Management Systems (EMS/BEMS)
•    Help configure real time monitoring tools
•    Identify energy saving opportunities using system insights
Compliance & Standards 
•    Research international standards (e.g. EMAS, ISO 50001, ISO 14001, BREEAM)
•    Support compliance documentation and reporting
•    Assist in internal energy audits
Ideal educational background
Energy Engineering and Management or Environmental and Resource Management
Must-have skills and requirements
Strong autonomy and initiative, technical and analytical skills combined with sustainability knowledge, strong communication and project-management abilities, ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners, problem-solving and innovation mindset, high attention to detail in documentation and compliance tasks, excellent reporting and presentation skills, proactive and adaptable mindset with interest in energy or environmental topics.
Nice-to-have requirements
Proficiency in data analysis tools to support decision-making and optimise energy efficiency.


Hospitality Team
Mission & Impact
We focus on optimising the physical working environment by ensuring high quality services, driving continuous improvements and supporting operational efficiency. Our aim is to promote service excellence and contribute to a positive workplace experience that enhances staff satisfaction.
What will the Young Professional do?
•    Process Mapping & Optimisation
•    Quality Management & Compliance
•    Contract Management & Procurement Support
•    Data Analysis & KPI Reporting (incl budgets)
•    Documentation Management
•    Communications
Ideal educational background
Business Administration (incl financial and economic elements), business Management Systems (incl IT elements), engineering or Data Science
Must-have skills and requirements
Proactive and adaptable mindset with interest in process and quality management, experience with process mapping and document management, strong coordination and administrative skills, technical literacy and proficiency with process/KPI tools, data analysis capabilities, strong collaboration skills with internal teams and external vendors, excellent interpersonal, writing and presentation skills, experience in communication planning and execution, excellent command of English.
Nice-to-have requirements
Experience in supply chain, contract or vendor management, understanding of project-management principles.


Maintenance Team
Mission & Impact
The Principal Directorate General Administration plans, runs and operates workplaces that support collaboration, communication and cohesion. It manages buildings efficiently and sustainably, contributing directly to the organisation’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and leads the Building Investment Programme 2025–2028 to modernise infrastructure, improve energy performance and adapt buildings to new ways of working.
It also delivers office wide services such as building and facility management and language services and fulfils mandated responsibilities for physical security and occupational safety to ensure safe, compliant and effective working conditions.
What will the Young Professional do?
•    Support handover processes for building systems and parking facilities; take ownership of commissioning related work packages; ensure proper contractor to maintenance handover; follow up on snags 
•    Ensure completeness and organisation of operational documentation; classify and maintain metadata in the document management system 
•    Assist in operational start up activities for new/refurbished buildings; follow up outstanding tasks; provide ad hoc operational support
Ideal educational background
Science & engineering – (civil engineer or mechanical engineer or electrical engineer)
Must-have skills and requirements
Architect or Civil Engineer at Master level, intermediate knowledge of the HOAI and VOB (Germany), proficient in AutoCAD, with a foundational understanding of BIM methodologies
Nice-to-have requirements
Good knowledge in German; initial experience or familiarity with facility management operations and processes.


Patent Information Tools 
Mission & Impact
Data science and AI solutions
What will the Young Professional do?
Support AI solutions and adoption within the teams portfolio
Ideal educational background
Data Science
Must-have skills and requirements
Hands-on experience with langchain and prompt engineering in Python
Nice-to-have requirements
MCP tools implementation experience