Trainee Patent Attorney - Quantum Science / Quantum Computing (UK)

Join to apply for the Trainee Patent Attorney - Quantum Science / Quantum Computing (UK) role at Mewburn Ellis. 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.

The quantum technology industry is experiencing a period of rapid growth as ground‑breaking advancements in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing are reshaping the technological landscape. Anticipated as the next great leap in human technology, quantum computing promises to enable profound advances in applications from materials science, chemistry and pharmaceuticals to artificial intelligence and cryptography. Furthermore, quantum sciences now underpin a strategic shift in foundational technologies for the communications, navigation and sensing sectors. In short, the quantum technology industry is undergoing a transformation in scale and reach.

At Mewburn Ellis we are part of this change, advising and supporting our clients to use intellectual property rights to nurture and protect their innovations, ideas and inventions in this fast‑paced growth area. Join us and you could work in these fields with a range of clients from international companies such as Infleqtion to university startups such as Duality Quantum Photonics.

The Role: Reflecting the exciting technology spaces in which our clients operate, you will work closely with colleagues across our engineering, technology and physics practice group but also with attorneys from our life sciences and chemistry 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 chemistry background to good use. Our unique placement scheme gives you the opportunity to work with different mentors and across different areas 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
• Financial support for location changes
• 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 350 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 which details how we’re giving back to the community, our commitment to sustainability 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 or experience is valuable, but no prior knowledge of patent law is required. Having an open‑minded personable approach to learning will also serve you well! The role is highly specialist so a strong academic background within this technical area is critical. This could be a degree in physics or perhaps mathematics but with strong evidence of relevant post‑grad learning and experience – for example a PhD in quantum sciences or a Masters in quantum sciences coupled with solid commercial experience. We are particularly interested to hear from you if you have experience in quantum computing and/or quantum algorithms. Please note that due to the level of expertise required, we are unable to progress applications that don’t meet these criteria.

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