Spring 2026 Student Open Day - Biotechnology

Are you looking for a career that allows you to apply the scientific knowledge gained from your degree in a legal and commercial environment? Do you have an inquisitive mind, a flair for writing and a love of problem solving? If so, a career in intellectual property law may be for you.

We are delighted to be hosting our annual Spring Open Day on 23 April 2026. You will hear from a variety of people at different stages of their career journeys from across our practice groups and will have lots of opportunity to ask questions throughout the day. In an informal setting, the event provides an invaluable opportunity to explore the profession and discover more about life at the firm. In addition to presentations, panel sessions and an interactive activity, you will receive helpful hints and tips for joining the profession. Typically, we welcome approximately 30 students to the event, which is hosted in our central London office. We are happy to offer financial support towards travel and accommodation expenses.

We are a leading European intellectual property law firm. Through our passionate and award-winning team of life scientists, engineers and regulatory experts, we advise some of the world’s leading healthcare companies. With top tier rankings in all the industry directories, we were awarded EPO Prosecution Firm of the Year at the IAM and WTR Global IP Awards 2024, received two Europe Impact Case of the Year awards at the 2025 MIP EMEA Awards and most recently took home Patent Litigation Firm of the Year: Biologics & Biosimilars; and SPC Litigation Firm of the Year at the LMG Life Sciences Awards 2025 EMEA.

As a firm, we’re passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Diversity of thought is vital to our business; it’s how we approach challenges differently and offer our clients creative and original solutions. Through our work with organisations such as IP Inclusive, Stonewall and Business in the Community via the Race at Work Charter, we are putting the right steps in place to make sure that all our people feel supported and empowered to be themselves. Further information on our commitment to diversity and inclusion is available on our website.

A healthy work/life balance is very important to us and we run regular wellbeing events in addition to the large number of clubs and social activities that are available to everyone at the firm. We are also enthusiastic supporters of our local community through partnerships with the Social Mobility Foundation and Holborn Community Association.

Each year, we recruit a number of exceptional STEM graduates, with our renowned training programme supporting them through to qualification as a UK and European patent attorney. As a trainee in our industry-leading Life Sciences (Biotechnology) practice group, you will be part of a team that supports some of the world’s leading biotechnology companies across the full spectrum of biotechnologies, from diagnostics to therapeutics including platform and manufacturing technologies. With increasing demands from our major international clients, there is never a shortage of challenging, high-value work.

The role of a patent attorney involves a unique combination of technical knowledge, legal expertise and precise communication. Language proficiency, particularly in writing, reading and sometimes speaking, is vital. As a new trainee, this is a fantastic opportunity to put your degree to good use in a rewarding and intellectually stimulating profession. Our early careers brochure gives a great insight into the day-to-day life of a trainee and life at Carpmaels.

Candidates need to possess, or be working towards, a strong first degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) or PhD in a relevant technical discipline. This may include molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and immunology. Further information on degree requirements can be found on our careers website. Your degree will be complemented by strong A Levels. Our typical minimum requirements are three at grade A or equivalent, including two STEM subjects. In addition to your technical skills, you will have an excellent command of both written and spoken English. You enjoy analysing and conceptualising complex matters and have a passion and aptitude for problem solving. With strong time management and organisation skills, you are a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.

We are proud to be using Rare Recruitment's Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) which allows us to consider your achievements in the context in which they were gained. We understand that not all candidate’s achievements look the same on paper – and we want to recruit the best people, from every background. Please note that for our Open Day, preference is given to students who are available to join us as a trainee patent attorney in September 2027. As we receive a high level of interest in the event, we encourage those who have been unsuccessful to apply for future opportunities, including our trainee patent attorney vacancies.

We are proud of our inclusive culture where individual differences are celebrated, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and job applicants. We do not tolerate discrimination either directly or indirectly on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, pregnancy and maternity, socio economic background or any characteristic protected by law. Our approach is embodied in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, as well as our diversity and inclusion programmes.