Young Professionals Programme in Human Resources and Business Administration

Applications deadline: 09.03.2026

Are you a recent graduate interested in the world of intellectual property and looking for your first employment experience?
The European Patent Office (EPO) invites applications for the Young Professionals Programme, starting in September 2026. Young Professionals are recruited across a wide range of technical and corporate areas and will work at one of the EPO’s sites in Munich, The Hague, Vienna, Berlin or Brussels.

The programme is designed to attract and develop high-potential graduates who are motivated to grow, take on responsibility and contribute in a complex, international environment. It offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience, apply academic knowledge in a professional setting, and develop skills that are relevant across disciplines.
Depending on the assignment, Young Professionals contribute to meaningful tasks and deepen their understanding of how intellectual property is applied in practice within an international organisation.

Opportunities in the area of Human Resources & Business Administration 

Depending on the department, your role may involve, for example: 

• Supporting governance, risk, compliance and audit-related activities, including analysis of processes, preparation of documentation, dashboards, reporting and follow-up actions 
• Contributing to the development, maintenance and improvement of management systems, including support for internal and external audits, standards (e.g. ISO, EMAS) and sustainability-related practices 
• Supporting talent acquisition, mobility and learning activities, including recruitment operations, candidate communication, outreach initiatives, training coordination and monitoring of learning data 
• Contributing to process optimisation, digitalisation and continuous improvement initiatives, including streamlining HR services, supporting change management and enhancing ways of working 
• Assisting with data analysis, reporting and performance monitoring, including preparation of KPIs, dashboards, insights and management information 
• Supporting remuneration, pension and welfare-related activities, including process harmonisation, documentation, analysis and digital transformation initiatives 

List of departments offering a seat for a Young Professional
Check this list including department descriptions and example projects. You may express a preference for one of the listed departments in your application. 

With us you will: 

• Enjoy a year-long paid programme in a field of interest, with the possibility to apply for up to two additional years on the programme 
• Benefit from a tailored training and development programme, covering IP-specific topics, language learning and career guidance 
• Learn on the job, supported by a tutor and experienced colleagues 
• Work with colleagues from a wide variety of cultural and professional backgrounds 
• Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and innovative environment 
• Feel empowered to grow in your role and take on responsibilities 
• Be among the first to see the latest inventions 

Programme requirements 

You should apply if you meet the following criteria: 

• You come from one of the listed universities 
• You are a national of one of the EPO’s member states 
• You hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent 
• You have excellent knowledge of one of the EPO’s official languages (English, French or German) 

We are looking for talented graduates with the potential to grow, strong analytical thinking, and the ability to contribute effectively in a collaborative working environment.

Learn more about the programme

Application process 

• Application deadline: 09 March 2026 
• Online interviews: April and May 2026 
• Results announced: June 2026 
• Programme start date: 15 September 2026 

Please note that you may only apply for one programme vacancy pool (e.g. Science and Engineering, Law, Economics and Finance) and should indicate your preferred department within that area. This does not limit consideration for other departments or areas if a suitable match is identified. 

Key information 

• Net (basic) monthly salary: approx. EUR 2 300 
• Duration of appointment: one year (full-time) 
• Location: Office-wide (Munich, The Hague, Vienna, Berlin, Brussels) 

* Average across sites; net amount after deduction of EPO-internal tax and staff contributions to social security and pension schemes.