Patent Attorney & Trainee Vacancies

Job description

Basic qualifications:

• Degree in chemistry or life sciences (or equivalent)
• Recently qualified CPA and/or EPA (or finals standard) with experience of corporate patent practice or private practice, preferably in the pharmaceutical or related fields.

Preferred qualifications:

• Good interpersonal, negotiating, and communication skills
• Effective writing skills
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills
• Organised
• Works effectively as part of a team

Details:

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company. We research and develop a broad range of innovative products in three primary areas of Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. We have a significant global presence with commercial operations in more than 160 markets and a network of 84 manufacturing sites in 36 countries. Our purpose is to help more people around the world do more, feel better and live longer.

We are currently looking for up to three recently qualified or finals standard Patent Attorneys and a Patent Trainee to join our Global Patents team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an exciting environment, in a world-leading pharmaceutical company, where you will get to contribute from day 1, working closely with the rest of the Global Patents team as well as scientists, commercial and business leaders.

For the Patent Attorney positions, you will be a recently qualified CPA and/or EPA (or finals standard) with experience of corporate patent practice or private practice, preferably in the pharmaceutical or related fields, and with a degree in chemistry or life sciences.

For the trainee position you will have a QMW certificate or MSc in Intellectual Property law (or equivalent); some experience of corporate patent practice or private practice (ideally in the pharmaceutical or related fields) would be preferred but is not essential and a degree in chemistry or life sciences, with a strong chemistry component.

The Patent Attorneys will be expected to handle a range of patent issues of mid level complexity/strategic and financial importance working under supervision depending on the level of experience of the suitable candidate.

Key responsibilities:
• Create value for GSK by identifying and protecting intellectual property (e.g. filing and prosecuting patent applications to secure exclusivity for R&D investments)
• Support R&D investments by identifying relevant third party intellectual property, evaluating risk, and implementing an appropriate strategy to mitigate this risk (e.g. opposition or litigation work and/or licensing, including developing cross-licensing strategies, to ensure freedom to operate)
• Perform due diligence on proposed business transactions
• Educate client businesses on sound legal practices and new developments impacting the business
• Draft, develop, prepare and execute contracts and other legal documents
• Negotiate agreements with internal company and external parties
• Review business, scientific, commercial, and sales/marketing documents/communications and advise on appropriate strategy/language to manage risk while maximizing business benefit
• Provide analysis and counsel on legal, policy, compliance, transactional, commercial, or medicine development issues—integrating legal knowledge with sound business understanding
• Anticipate and proactively support the prevention and management of legal risks facing the company
• Support the company in litigation efforts in support of the company's position
• Develop and recommend policies and practices on issues presenting potential legal risk
• Conduct or coordinate research on legal issues
• Work with or manage activities of external legal counsel on legal matters before the company
• Review and interpret pending or new legislation or regulatory rules impacting the business to ensure compliance or strategy changes
• Liaise with other departments (e.g. Compliance, Audit and Assurance, Business Development etc.) in coordinating counsel to ensure the integration of the full range of considerations impacting legal recommendations
• Participate in or lead special projects furthering development and embedding of best practices or expanded legal knowledge

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE – 28th February 2016 (MIDDAY)

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert.

Please apply including your CV and Cover Note.

*LI-GSK

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies:
GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Contact information:

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.