Associate Patent Examiner: Physics, Engineering, Maths or other similar STEM subjects

Apply before 11:55pm on Wednesday 18th February 2026

Associate Patent Examiner: Physics, Engineering, Maths or other similar STEM subjects

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.

Explore the Frontier of Innovation as an Associate Patent Examiner

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:

Physics, engineering, electronics, maths or other similar STEM subjects.

Candidates with a background in electronic or electrical engineering are particularly welcome.

Working Style

For the first six months of employment, you will be required to work onsite in Newport for four days each week. This will give you a great introduction to the Intellectual Property Office and will help you to build contacts and relationships to support your future career.

Once this six-month period has passed, attendance will be 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.

Job description

Why Join Us?

As a Patent Examiner, you'll be at the forefront of technological advancement, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation in the world around us. 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.

Unparalleled Training and Mentorship

To complement your specialist scientific and technical knowledge, we’ll 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 21st September 2026 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. This training period will ensure you have all the support you need to settle into the role and will allow you to get to know your colleagues and fellow recruits.

Professional Development

At our organisation, we prioritise the growth and development of our team members.

With a clear path for advancement, after 2-5 years you’ll 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.

Tune into our live webinar!

Hear from three of the IPO's patent examiners to find out where you, our STEM graduates, can fit in!

Join us live at 2pm on Thursday 5th February and register to attend via GradCracker here: Intellectual Property Office Hub , Gradcracker - Careers for STEM Students

Additional information

To find out more about the Patent Examining career check out our Patent Career Site Page here: IPO Opportunities , Civil Service Careers

Qualifications

Applicants must hold at least a 2:2 degree in the listed areas 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.

IPO cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. IPO holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles, and this campaign does not qualify.

Additional information

To find out more about the Patent Examining career check out our Patent Career Site Page here: IPO Opportunities , Civil Service Careers

Hear from one of our Patent examiners talking about STEM career spotlight: Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Patent Examiner

https://bit.ly/PatentExaminerCaseStudyEngineering

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Have a genuine interest in the listed technologies 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

Qualifications

Applicants must hold at least a 2:2 degree in the listed areas 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.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

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

• Please evidence your knowledge in one of the following scientific fields detailing how you have applied and embedded your technical knowledge in practical situations, for example through research project, industrial or laboratory experience:
• At interview you will be assessed on technical criteria

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Please evidence your knowledge in one of the following scientific fields detailing how you have applied and embedded your technical knowledge in practical situations, for example through research project, industrial or laboratory experience:

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,095, Intellectual Property Office contributes £10,456 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

When working at the IPO you can expect:

• A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities

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.