5662 Examiner - TEST_forHEADER_12032018_MT Job group:xxxxx Job Grade:xxxxx Career path: Technical Location: Munich; The Hague Application deadline: xxxxx Are you an engineer or a scientist interested in joining an international team of highly qualified staff at the forefront of technology? Do you want to see the latest inventions? Then this professional opportunity is the right one for you The European Patent Office (EPO) - the second-largest European organisation, with 7 000 staff members and a self-financed annual budget of EUR 2bn - is looking for engineers and scientists interested in working as European patent examiners. Our patent examiners are drawn from over 30 different European countries. They work at the cutting edge of technology, analysing the latest inventions in all kinds of technical fields in order to protect and promote innovation in Europe. Their daily work combines scientific expertise with analytical research and an eye for the legal aspects of intellectual property. We are currently seeking engineers and scientists to work in The Hague and Munich in VEHICLES AND GENERAL TECHNOLOGY We have vacancies in each of the following technical fields: The Hague General mechanical engineering: automotive and naval engineering; bicycles and motorbikes; lighting and coating Munich General mechanical engineering: transmissions, braking systems and control of vehicles, headlights, hydraulics and aeronautical engineering Your key responsibilities Carrying out patent examination from the search to the post-grant stage, and solving complex technical and legal problems in the process Taking a broad perspective to identify solutions whilst ensuring the uniform and effective application of the EPC (European Patent Convention) and other legal texts Creating and maintaining classification systems to ensure efficient and effective searching What we expect from you Master's degree (or equivalent) in physics, chemistry, engineering or natural sciences. The degree should be relevant to the technical field(s) indicated in this vacancy notice Generally, an excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and working knowledge (at least B2) of the other two. In exceptional cases, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language and working knowledge (at least B2) of another. In such cases the willingness to learn the third language and to reach Level B2 within three years would be required Work experience in industry is not essential, but would be advantageous Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation as well as the ability to analyse technical and subject-specific information retrieve technical information from databases and other sources analyse and compare technical matter according to the legal provisions applicable make decisions following the assessment of complex technical information, the application of legal requirements and the examination of parties' arguments write clear and well-reasoned communications interact with colleagues and applicants to process patent applications efficiently What we offer you Varied and interesting work requiring scientific expertise, analytical thinking and an interest in technology and intellectual property law, in a modern and truly international environment A continuous training programme to develop your knowledge of the EPO's search tools, your technical knowledge and your legal expertise in intellectual property Salary and benefits The EPO offers competitive salaries, an excellent social package, and varied work in a modern international environment. The net (basic) monthly salary for this vacancy ranges from EUR 5 317.77 to 7 575.35, depending on experience. In addition, depending on their personal circumstances, EPO staff may be entitled to relocation benefits and various allowances (e.g. household, dependant's, childcare, education, expatriation, installation and rent allowance). Recruitment process The process comprises a combination of various online tests (e.g. cognitive ability, personality, languages) and one or more Skype interviews. If successful, you will be invited to attend a selection event in Munich or The Hague. This event will involve one or more face-to-face interviews, supplemented as appropriate by additional technical, psychometric and/or language tests, and give you the opportunity to find out more about the EPO and the job of European patent examiner. At the end of our selection process, we may place suitable candidates on a reserve list for a period of 12 months. The EPO may use the reserve list to fill vacant post with the same profile. However, being on a reserve list doesn't guarantee a job offer or imply any entitlement to employment at the EPO. Our next selection events will take place in The Hague from 09.04.2018 to 13.04.2018 and in Munich from 23.04.2018 to 27.04.2018. As a general rule, you will be invited to the location (Munich or The Hague) for which your application is being considered. The EPO is an equal opportunities employer and supports workforce diversity as a signatory to the Diversity Charter (Charta der Vielfalt) since 2010. All applications for vacant positions will be welcomed and considered on the professional merits of the applicant against the role profile for the position regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion or belief. after deduction of EPO internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social-security and pension schemes.