Trainee Patent Attorney - Chemistry (2027 Intake)

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.

Why Carpmaels & Ransford? 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. 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. 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.

What You’ll Be Doing: 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. The Chemistry team is trusted by many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, helping to protect research on a wide variety of groundbreaking therapeutics and their delivery. The work 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.

Candidates need to possess, or be working towards, a strong first degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) or PhD in a relevant technical discipline such as chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry or pharmacology. 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 need to have an excellent command of both written and spoken English. You should enjoy analysing and conceptualising complex matters and have a passion and aptitude for problem solving. With strong time management and organisation skills, you should be a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.

The recruitment process is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your interest in a career within IP. Following completion of our online application form, successful applicants will be invited to complete a role-related written exercise. Those shortlisted will then undertake a technically focused pre-recorded video interview, alongside some written questions. Longlisted applicants will be invited to a two-stage, in-person interview process. Our aim is to ensure all candidates are treated equally and fairly, allowing them to perform at their best during the recruitment process.

What We Offer: We offer a competitive benefits package that currently includes the following:

• An annual base salary of approximately £50,000.
• 25 days’ holiday, increasing by 1 day per year up to our maximum of 28 days.
• Employer pension contribution of 5% in your first year, with a minimum 3% employee contribution, increasing to 10% employer contribution after one year’s service.
• Holiday buy scheme, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
• Holiday bonus, starting at £400 per year, increasing each year up to a maximum of £2,000.
• Private medical insurance via Bupa, where you’ll be eligible to join the month following your start date.
• Free confidential access to 24/7 medical, mental, legal and financial wellbeing support via Health Assured and WeCare from your first day of employment.
• Access to internal Mental Health First Aiders.
• Life assurance of 4x your base salary.
• Income protection, with cover for up to 5 years and compensating for up to 75% of your base salary.
• Cycle2Work scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• Access to Payroll Giving or Give As You Earn (GAYE).
• 1 paid volunteer day per year.

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 any characteristic protected by law.