Date Posted: June 2023

We have a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial patent attorney to join our team and play a key part in growing our recently opened Manchester office and the wider firm.

Introduction

Scintilla is a UK and European Patent and Trade Mark Attorney firm. We guide innovative companies with strategic input and IP registration services so that their intellectual property can be a springboard for business growth.

We work with a diverse range of clients, from startups through to large global corporations and in a wide range of business and technology sectors.

We are growing and are now looking for a qualified electronics patent attorney to be based in our recently-opened Manchester office.

This is a key strategic role to drive the growth of the new office and of the wider firm.  As part of Scintilla you will have the opportunity to make a real contribution to the business and work with autonomy and flexibility to develop your career and enhance your personal development.

We are looking for someone with a flair for business development and excellent communication and relationship management skills, as well as having a proven track record of providing strategic commercial IP advice.

Our Culture

We believe in delivering top quality professional IP services for our clients. We have a purpose driven ethos, with the mission of “empowering innovation” and finding fulfilment in growing all of profit, people and the planet. We are determined and resourceful, while remaining authentically ourselves, open-minded, friendly and approachable.

Our values are expressed through our support of the “IP Inclusive” network, our corporate sponsorships of the trade organisation Technology Scotland and the Filament Smart Things Accelerator Centre startup incubator, and in our support of local charities.

We have also been recognised in our industry, being recommended in the prestigious IAM listings of the top 1000 patent professionals and as IP Stars in the Managing IP rankings.

The Role

The role has a strong emphasis on direct client work and covers a wide range of technical fields, including semiconductors, photonics, the internet of things, wireless and telecommunications technologies, sensor systems, space technology, cybersecurity, encryption technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, fintech, enterprise software and data analytics.

Activities will include:

• Meeting clients to provide intellectual property advice for their businesses.
• Drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
• Representing clients directly at the UKIPO, EPO and WIPO.
• Carrying out oral proceedings in examination, opposition and appeal proceedings at the EPO.
• Coordinating patent filings worldwide, working with law firms in foreign jurisdictions to optimise patent strategy.
• Coordinating and analysing novelty searches.
• Preparing patent landscape reports to leverage intelligence in patent databases.
• Carrying out “IP audits” of a company, to provide general intellectual property actions.
• Carrying out due diligence and freedom to operate assessments.
• Advising clients on IP strategy and IP management.
• Advising on other forms of intellectual property, including trade marks, designs, copyright and trade secret protection.

Furthermore, you will have a key business development responsibility and will have an opportunity to grow a key part of the firm’s business.  This will involve:

• Attending networking events and conferences, including local business events and international conferences.
• Providing educational seminars and presentations on patents, intellectual property and innovation.
• Building relationships with existing clients and new contacts.
• Growing and developing your network of international colleagues to develop incoming and outgoing international work.
• Managing and mentoring trainee patent attorneys and professional service colleagues.

Training

We will provide support for your continuing professional development, and for your own personal development and objectives as appropriate.

Qualifications and Skillset Required

Patent Attorney Qualifications

Candidates should be qualified as a UK Registered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney, though consideration may be given to those who possess one of these two qualifications.

Degree in Electronics, Computer Science or Physics

A degree or equivalent in a relevant technical discipline is essential for qualification as a patent attorney.

Candidates should preferably have a degree or higher in electronic engineering, although applicants with a computer science or physics background will also be considered.

Skills Required

Beyond technical knowledge of the fields in which our clients operate, excellent language and writing skills are foundational prerequisites for the preparation of high quality patent applications and legal opinions.

Other foundational skills include attention to detail and the ability to manage time effectively. A patent attorney will be expected to be accurate and precise in the language that they use and to have the ability to manage multiple deadlines and to deal with client expectations.

Communication skills are also vital. As well as clarity and accuracy in our written and verbal communications with clients and Patent Offices, it is important that we are good listeners and that we can show empathy with our clients and with each other.

Clients often ask us to “go the extra mile”, and it is essential that we take pride in our work and in the quality of professional service that we provide.

We also place an emphasis on teamwork, taking care to foster a friendly, collaborative and supportive working environment.

A proactive attitude is also very important: a desire to take on responsibility and to show initiative will be looked on favourably.

Practical Details

The role is envisaged as being full time and primarily based at our offices in central Manchester, although we support flexible working patterns and would favourably consider requests for alternative arrangements.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually.
• Annual bonus scheme (discretionary).
• 25 days annual leave entitlement, plus Scottish public holidays (8 in total).
• Company pension scheme, with employer contribution up to 5% and including the option for salary sacrifice, with 100% of employer NIC savings being rebated to the employee.
• Life assurance policy.
• Private health care scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Application

Send your CV in confidence to Peter McBride at recruit@scintilla-ip.com.

Contact Details

Peter McBride

Scintilla

11 York Street

Manchester M2 2AW

United Kingdom

E-mail: recruit@scintilla-ip.com

Tel: +44 (0) 161 883 7686