Trainee Patent Attorney - Chemistry

Kilburn & Strode LLP; London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm is seeking a Trainee Patent Attorney in London to join its Chemistry team, starting in October 2026. Candidates should have a strong scientific background with a degree in chemistry, ideally focused on organic chemistry. The position offers a structured training program, mentoring by experts, and the opportunity to work on exciting patents. Apply by October 29, 2025, and help shape the future of innovation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 at undergraduate level.
• Candidates from all backgrounds encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Master UK and European patent law fundamentals.
• Draft patent applications.
• Participate in opinion and opposition work.
• Interact with clients.

Skills

Strong academic record

Solid scientific background

Organic chemistry focus

Chemistry A-levels

Biology A-levels

STEM subject knowledge

Education

Graduate or postgraduate degree in Chemistry

Job description

Kilburn & Strode LLP, Trainee Patent Attorney – Chemistry

Do you want to take your scientific knowledge beyond the lab and into the real world? Imagine playing a key role in protecting and commercialising cutting-edge chemical innovations, working alongside some of the leading scientists in their fields. If that sounds exciting, have you considered a career as a patent attorney? It’s a unique and intellectually stimulating role, combining deep scientific understanding with complex legal, strategic and commercial thinking.

Our Patent Career Programme offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation and contribute to high-impact IP matters, all while studying towards your exams to become a qualified UK and European patent attorney.

Why Kilburn & Strode?

Kilburn & Strode is a leading firm of European patent and trade mark attorneys with offices in London, The Netherlands and San Francisco. We help the most creative companies, protect the most innovative ideas and designs, in the most competitive markets, working for the world’s finest organisations – companies like Merck, Honeywell, and Takeda. We have a culture built on diversity and are looking for people who share and demonstrate our ambition and commitment to our clients.

This is an exciting time to join Kilburn & Strode! We work with our clients on their biggest challenges and we need the brightest and most ambitious talent to help us do that. As one of our new trainees, join us as we set ourselves ahead in our field. Seize the opportunity to be part of an exciting firm where you will receive gold-star support as you kickstart and develop your career.

Our Chemistry team

We are recruiting for places on our Chemistry training programme to start in October 2026 – where we will support, mentor and develop you into a world class patent attorney working on some of the most exciting new products and ideas from across the globe. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to start your career within our Chemistry team which is comprised of over 25 trainees and qualified attorneys. Our team is led by dedicated, market-leading experts who can offer you unparalleled training, quality of work, direct exposure to client matters, business development initiatives and the support to ensure you are developing in your career.

At Kilburn & Strode we offer a quality structured training programme and a dedicated people manager to help guide you through your traineeship. No two days are ever the same, throughout the course of your training you will master the fundamentals of UK and European patent law, learn how to draft patent applications, take part in opinion and opposition work and interact with clients.

Who can apply?

• Whether you are a new graduate or are looking for an exciting career change, we are looking for candidates with a solid scientific background, a strong academic record and a graduate or postgraduate degree in chemistry, with an organic chemistry focus.
• Applicants should ideally have at least chemistry and biology A-levels and preferably a third STEM subject, such as physics or mathematics.
• We welcome applications from candidates who are on track to, or have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 at undergraduate level.

How to apply:

Submit your application by following the link below by the closing date ofWednesday 29th October 2025at1pm(GMT). We will ask you to submit a CV and covering letter and there will be a small number of competency-based questions for you to answer.

Successful applicants will then be invited to a first round online interview in November, followed by a final round in-person interview in our London office at the Start of December.

Application deadline: Wednesday 29 October 2025 at 13:00 (GMT) (i) Times are displayed in your local time zone

Please mention IP Careers when applying to Kilburn & Strode LLP.