Patent examiner, agent and officer

Typical work activities include:

• Investigating each application to ascertain that the invention is described clearly, examining the invention from a technical standpoint
• Searching earlier publications, technical literature and online databases of UK and foreign patent specifications to make sure that the application is novel
• Considering legal matters affecting acceptability and entitlement to the monopoly claimed by the applicant
• Preparing an initial report and giving the results of the search to the applicant or patent attorney, who then decides whether to proceed with the application
• Conducting a substantive examination, including a detailed examination of the description and the claims (i.e. the extent of the monopoly sought)
• Making a final decision as to the novelty of the invention, which is written in a final report
• Discussing and negotiating with the applicant and patent attorney to resolve any matters raised in the final report
• Presenting cases at hearings before a principal examiner
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of developments through study and visits to laboratories, factories, exhibitions and seminars
• Occasional specialised work, such as intellectual property policy, information retrieval and publicity

In particular, doctoral and first degrees in the following subjects will increase your chances:

• Electrical engineering
• Electronics
• Computer technology
• Telecommunications

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• The ability to apply scientific and technical knowledge to the concepts of patent law
• Excellent analytical and critical skills and an eye for detail
• The ability to communicate convincing arguments, justifying the granting or otherwise of a patent, both orally and in writing
• Negotiation skills
• Flexibility of thought and the ability to grasp unfamiliar concepts
• Competence in IT, in order to search databases and check the originality of inventions

Further advice on requirements can be found on the The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) or European Patent Office (EPO) websites.

• A qualified patent examiner earns £26,994 - £51,286 (salary data collected September 2008). Salary increases are performance related and salaries for patent examiners rise through a series of scales to £56,852.
• More senior posts are paid at senior civil servant rates.

Sector information

Doctoral graduates in this occupation were known to be working in the following sectors:

• Scientific research and development
• Advertising, public relations and marketing
• Public administration

Disciplinary background

The most common disciplinary backgrounds for doctoral graduates (2006-2009) entering patent examination roles were:

• Chemistry
• Civil engineering
• Clinical medicine
• Computer science and IT
  
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Mathematics
• Physics

Dr Elizabeth Vokurka

Intellectual Property Management and Innovation Consultant

"I advise businesses predominately software companies, physics based high-tech companies, medical devise companies on how they should manage their intellectual property."

Sally, Patent attorney, ABPI

• Thomson Derwent
• Espace Net
• Handling Discrimination
• Inside Careers
• New Scientist Jobs
• Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
• Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
• Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
• European Patent Office (EPO)
• Institute of Patentees and Inventors
• Intellectual Property (IP) Institute
• The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• Engineering Sector 
• Legal Sector 
• Science Sector
• New Scientist
• Official Journal of the EPO