Patent Examiner, Patent Search, Examination and Analytics

IPOS International; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An IP consultancy firm in Singapore is seeking a Patent Examiner to evaluate patent applications, ensuring high-quality assessments. The successful candidate will leverage scientific knowledge and guide enterprises through the patent process. Ideal applicants will have 5-8 years of examination experience, a strong grasp of Singapore patent law, and excellent communication skills. Opportunities for professional training in technical fields will be provided, enhancing your career in a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Professional training opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• 5 to 8 years of experience in patent application examination.
• Strong understanding of Singapore patent law.
• Familiarity with handling PCT applications is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyse patent applications and assess technical concepts.
• Conduct state-of-the-art searches to evaluate novelty.
• Communicate examination outcomes through written opinions.

Skills

Strong analytical and reasoning skills

Effective communication in English

Experience in patent examination

Curiosity and eagerness to learn

Interpersonal skills

Job description

IPOS International, Patent Examiner – Patent Search, Examination and Analytics

Great ideas do not discriminate, and anyone can have them. Given the right protection and support, a great idea can become a powerful brand, a transformative technology, an innovative process or design, or even a song or story that moves one’s soul. Housing Singapore’s largest community of intellectual property (IP) experts, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) understands better than anyone how important it is to protect ideas and creations for now and for the future. We leverage our deep technical, legal and business expertise to help innovative enterprises grow, through their intangible assets, including IP, from Singapore, through Singapore. We catalise the ideas of today, into the assets of tomorrow.

How you can contribute

You will join a team of highly skilled and talented professionals to help enterprises innovate and grow by ensuring the grant of high-quality patents.

About the Role

This position requires you to apply scientific and technical knowledge to the concepts of patent law. You will be required to assess whether an invention is new and judge whether the invention has a technical and legal basis to be granted a patent in Singapore.

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Analyse patent applications and identify technical concepts relating to an invention
• Conduct searches of the state‑of‑the‑art using specialised databases to investigate whether an invention is new
• Conduct substantive examination to ensure the invention complies with patentability criteria for grant
  Communicate with applicants or their patent agents through written opinions to present examination outcomes
• Consider submissions filed in response to written opinions to advance the prosecution, conducting interviews with applicants or their patent agents to clarify positions where
  necessary

General Responsibilities

• Interpret patent law and apply guidelines in the examination of patent applications
• Assess patent applications within area of technical expertise and areas at the periphery where applicable
• Formulate search strategies for uncovering prior art in a cost‑efficient manner
• Communicate technical and legal arguments in both written and verbal formats to
  facilitate prosecution
• Collaborate with peers to provide technical expertise on inventions spanning multiple technological domains
• Keep pace with emerging technological developments

Are you the one? Please write to us if you have/are:

• Prior work experience of at least 5 to 8 years in search and substantive examination of patent applications at a patent office
• A good understanding of Singapore patent law and its application in patent examination (preferred)
• Familiarity with handling PCT applications as an International Searching Authority (ISA) will be a plus
• Well‑versed in searching for prior art using various search platforms
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills
• Driven to excel and meet productivity targets
• Constantly curious, enjoy learning and applying new skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and a team player who can be part of a network of technical experts

In particular, we are looking for someone to join our team with:

• Familiarity in one of the following specialised fields will be a plus:
  • Immunology or biotechnology with a focus on protein engineering; or
  • Wireless communication and audio video coding standards such as 3GPP, IEEE; or
  • Drug conjugates, medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry or polymers; or
  • Semiconductor memory devices, Mechanical or Civil Engineering.

The role will be based in Singapore. You will have opportunities to attend professional training courses and seminars to keep pace with the latest developments in your technical field.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About IPOS International

IPOS International, a wholly‑owned subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, aims to catalyse industry and enterprise growth by providing IP expertise. To achieve this, we will offer committed and passionate individuals a place where their talent and opinions are valued. To succeed as an organisation, we believe in empowering individuals while working as a team of professionals with honesty and displaying integrity as core values. We invest heavily in our people so that they get the training and development they need to succeed. For more information on IPOS International, please visit our website.

Please mention IP Careers when applying to IPOS International.