Associate Patent Examiner: Computing & Telecoms - Newport

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright. IP touches everything that makes life more enjoyable, easier, safer, and more prosperous. Our work gives researchers, inventors, creators and businesses the confidence to invest their time, energy and money in doing something new.

Patent Examiners are at the forefront of technological advancement, playing a pivotal role in shaping our future. Patent examining offers a unique and fascinating career where scientific and technical ingenuity meets legal acumen.

Currently, we are looking for people who have knowledge in one of the following technical fields:

• Telecommunications or related field with knowledge of one or more of the following: the air interface, core network, MIMO, small cell arrangements and network slicing in LTE and 5G, Wi-Fi network protocols and operation, cryptography or encryption or network security.
• Computer systems or related field with knowledge and interest in the underlying technology, particularly in the fields of encryption and data security, quantum computing, computational physics, neural networks, virtualised and cloud computing, fault-tolerant computing and error handling, program control, hardware design or database technologies.

This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office.

As a Patent Examiner, you will gain insight into the developments being made around the world, from large businesses to individual innovators, supporting the UK economy by analysing and granting applications for UK patent rights.

To complement your specialist scientific and technical knowledge, we will provide you with all the necessary training in the legal aspects of the role. You will be assigned a line manager who will work closely with you as you consolidate your learning in your initial years in the role. The initial training course will start on Monday 29th September 2025 full time for 7/8 weeks. The training will include an engaging variety of seminars, practical demonstration, coursework and associated tutorials held in person, onsite at our Newport Office. Following on from this, for the remainder of your first six months of employment, you will be required to attend the office for at least 4 days per week.

At our organisation, we prioritise the growth and development of our team members. With a clear path for advancement, after 2-5 years you will have the opportunity to progress from Associate Patent Examiner to Patent Examiner. After a few more years of development, a further non-competitive promotion is available to Senior Patent Examiner to become a subject matter expert and leader within our division.

The successful candidates will:

• Have a genuine interest in computing and/or telecoms with enthusiasm for keeping your technical knowledge up to date.
• Value others' views and have an open and respectful approach to collaboration.
• Communicate strongly, with the ability to convey complex technical issues clearly both in writing and verbally.
• Can review large amounts of information with an eye for detail, enabling you to pick out key points and reach timely, reasoned decisions.

Applicants must hold at least a 2:2 degree in computing, telecommunications, or a related field or be on track to receive one by the end of the academic year. Alternatively, applicants must demonstrate equivalent proficiency through substantial industrial experience in technical roles.

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Making Effective Decisions

We will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Evidence your knowledge in computing, telecommunications, or a related field, detailing how you have applied and embedded your technical knowledge in practical situations, e.g. through research project, industrial or laboratory experience.
• The ability to understand and evaluate scientific and technical information in the relevant specialist area.
• The ability to understand and evaluate scientific and technical information to reach conclusions accurately, providing reasoning respectfully whilst adapting quickly to apply new learning points.

Alongside your salary of £34,958, the Intellectual Property Office contributes £10,127 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities, 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave.

For more information about what’s on offer at the Intellectual Property Office please review our IPO benefit pack attached to the bottom of this advert. Please note that benefits may be subject to change.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

In order to capture your employment history please complete the employment history box under the 'Your CV' section of the online application form. All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.