Trainee Patent Attorney – Life Sciences in Cambridge

Life as a Trainee Patent Attorney means using your academic background in a stimulating and varied way, working on innovations and inventions at the forefront of your scientific field. At Mewburn Ellis we’re collegial, supportive and progressive. With an industry-leading training programme and a placement scheme that keeps learning fresh and insightful we ensure that you’re set up to develop quickly and learn about the profession from a variety of Partners from day one.

Trained for Excellence is one of our key values that permeates our firm, the impact is evident at every level. Indeed over 70% of our partners trained with us. The training programme underpins who we are and our forward-looking, ambitious approach. And as it’s delivered in a structured and focused manner it means that everyone at Mewburn Ellis is able to develop their full potential as a high-level attorney.

There has rarely been a more exciting time to be involved in Life Sciences. This is a time when genetic material can be edited with precision; when the power of the immune system is being harnessed to cure disease; and when bioinformatics and big data open the door for treatments that are truly bespoke for each person.

Our large and vastly experienced team leads the way in the field of life sciences patents. From biologics and cell therapies, diagnostics and precision medicine to sequencing and bioinformatics, we work in every technical area in this exciting field. Join us and you could work in these fields with a range of clients that include large life sciences companies such as Genentech and Zealand Pharma, research charities such as Cancer Research Technology and The Institute of Cancer Research, and leading universities such as the University of Cambridge.

The Role: Reflecting the exciting technology spaces in which our clients operate, you will work closely with colleagues across our life sciences practice group and also with attorneys from our chemistry and engineering, technology and physics practice groups, as well as our solicitors and trade mark team. We take a holistic approach to IP and that will be a theme throughout your training and beyond.

Our training programme is varied sometimes challenging but always rewarding. You will be invested in to grow personally and professionally. There’ll be lots of learning and opportunities to put your life sciences background to good use.

Our unique placement scheme gives you the opportunity to work with different mentors and across different areas of life sciences allowing you to develop as an attorney and find your niche. You will sit with a qualified patent attorney and assist them with all parts of their work, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications and advising clients about various aspects of intellectual property law.

Essentially we provide you with all the tools you need to become a Trusted Advisor to clients, helping you use your scientific background in a legal context.

What’s in it for you?

• A friendly, inclusive and team-based working culture
• A hybrid office and home working approach
• A generous remuneration package
• Enhanced pension scheme / family leave
• 30 days annual leave (not inc. bank holidays) and additional study leave days
• Wide range of domestic and international clients with the chance to work abroad
• One paid day off per year for charitable endeavours and fundraising matching
• Firmwide discretionary bonus
• Multiple additional benefits such as discount vouchers, workplace ISA, electric car, bike to work and healthcare cash plan schemes

You’ll be well supported to pass your exams as well as develop your all-round skills as a patent attorney through our internal and external tutorials and regular input from experienced partners, backed up by feedback on your progress to inform and assist your development. And because we’re merit-based, your career progression is truly in your own hands.

We’re a leading European intellectual property firm with four UK offices and one in Munich. We’ve grown steadily and now have over 360 colleagues including 45 Trainees so expect to be part of a decent sized cohort of like-minded scientists! In many ways our successful growth story is down to our training and our long-term commitment to the wellbeing of our people. As part of this we have a variety of informal sporting and social events as well as running various charity initiatives.

You can find out more about our Forward Community Programme online, which details how we’re giving back to the community, our commitment to sustainability (such as the Mewburn forest) and how promoting and nurturing diversity and inclusion is a top priority.

About You: We look for individuals with a curious, enquiring mind. Excellent communication skills, especially in writing, are vital. General commercial awareness is valuable but no prior knowledge of patent law is required. A strong academic background in biochemistry or biological sciences with, for example, modules in immunology, cell biology, genomics, molecular biology or disease biology is essential. A Masters or PhD in relevant areas would also be advantageous. Having an open-minded personable approach to learning will serve you well too!

If the role sounds appealing and you could start your career journey with us in Bristol or Cambridge, we’d love to hear from you. We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome a broad diversity of talent to apply.