Paralegal (European Patent)

European Patent Paralegal
Location: Bracknell
Contract: 12 months (initially)
Hours: 36.25 hours per week
Hybrid working: Minimum two days per week in the office
 
We are recruiting an experienced European Patent Paralegal for a 12-month contract with a leading global pharmaceutical company based at Arlington Square in Bracknell.  This position sits within the company''s IP Operations function and will support the management of its European patent portfolio. You will work closely with internal patent attorneys, external European law firms and the European Patent Office.
 
The role will involve managing European patent correspondence, deadlines, filings and procedural requirements throughout the patent lifecycle, including prosecution, grant, opposition and validation.
 
Key responsibilities

• Review and docket incoming European patent correspondence
• Record and monitor EPO and internal deadlines using Anaqua
• Support European patent prosecution, grant, opposition and validation activity
• Prepare and submit documents using MyEPO and EPO Online Filing 2.0
• Liaise with internal patent attorneys and external European law firms
• Support European patent oppositions and other EPO proceedings
• Maintain accurate patent records and ensure high standards of data integrity
• Assist with SPC/PTE tracking and patent lifecycle management where required

• At least two years'' experience as a European Patent Paralegal or within an equivalent front-line patent support role
• Practical experience supporting European patent prosecution
• Good working knowledge of EPO procedures and the European Patent Convention
• Experience using MyEPO and EPO Online Filing 2.0
• Experience managing patent deadlines and working with an IP docketing system
• Strong attention to detail, proofreading and organisational skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and escalate potential risks promptly
• Please note that a law degree without practical paralegal experience will not be sufficient for this position.

• Anaqua experience
• CIPA or EPAC Paralegal qualification
• Pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience
• Knowledge of SPC/PTE processes
• Awareness of US, PCT and national-phase patent filings