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Patent Attorney
Sibelco is a global material solutions company. We mine, process and sell industrial minerals at locations worldwide, focused primarily on silica, clays, feldspathics and olivine.We are also leaders in glass recycling. The Sibelco Group operates over 110 production sites in 31 countries, with a team of over 5,000 people.
Click to see how Sibelco materials are used in products within and outside your home.
Location:
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Role Type: This role will require regular travel to the Sibelco HQ in Antwerp, Belgium. However the individual can be based in Netherlands, Germany or France.
Role Purpose:
In collaboration with the strategic business partners, the Patent Attorney is responsible for management of all aspects of Intellectual Property (IP) across all Sibelco affiliates and programs.
Responsibilities:
1) Strategy: Maximize IP protection, minimize risk and control cost, including offensive and defensive litigation management. Develop a Global IP Policy and IP Strategy in line with business aims and instore IP awareness.
2) Continuous Improvement: Drive process development and improvement for IP, namely through building of a standard work library and best-practices throughout Sibelco.
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Ensure IP Tool establishment and implementation via collaboration with VPs on IP gate requirements in the T&I and Commercial Project trajectories: e.g. Orbit Asset and Orbit Invention; use of IP Questionnaires (JDA agreement on IP principle, M&A, NDA, IDF) .
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Provide IP training and counselling to internal stakeholders and clients.
3) Compliance: Able to propose creative advice that leads to the implementation of a Global IP Policy and IP Strategy and to develop internal processes to efficiently manage our IP portfolio and as such assist in Company compliance.
4) IP portfolio Management: Ensure management and administration of the global IP portfolio and communicate on it (including patents, trade secrets, trademarks, domain names and designs).
5) Legal: Provide legal IP counselling and training to avert legal risks in T&I and/or Governance projects and in complex third-party situations.
6) M&A: Providing support performing IP due diligence on proposed business transactions like joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, and divestments to ensure legal and IP Policy compliance as well as guidance in post-acquisition (integration phase).
7) Business Support: Provide IP support from research phase to product launch based on a stage-gate approach, assess patent landscapes, novelty searches and (preliminary) FTO, organise patent watch.
8) Project Management: Member of integrated global project teams, to give IP support in complex projects locally and abroad from start to finish.
About you:
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Master or PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
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Qualified European Patent Attorney
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10+ years post-qualification experience in Patent Law gained in-house or in an IP consultancy firm, preferably within a chemical industry
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Experience in patent license negotiation, patent litigation, M&A due diligence, FTO, JDA, with notions of the other IP rights, including Trade Secrets
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Excellent breadth of knowledge and legal experience in U.S. and global IP law practices preferred
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English – proficient verbal & writing skills
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Fluency in French and/or German preferred
#LI-Hybrid
But most importantly, if you embrace our core values, and if this role sparks your enthusiasm to apply your passion to contribute in a meaningful way as a part of Sibelco’s team of unique talents within a diverse international business community, then we very much look forward to hearing from you.
To Apply:
Please click apply to register your information and contact details on the recruitment portal so one of our team can get in touch.
Inclusive Team Culture: Attractive Employer ( (url removed))
Sibelco recognises the strength of our diverse global workforce and values difference and inclusion for all. Our rich mix of people bring an exciting exchange of ideas and knowledge to keep us moving forward and innovating new solutions. We seek talent of all backgrounds and abilities and continue to develop our leaders and our culture to help all current and new employees to grow and reach their full potential.
Salary & Benefits: We will gladly discuss these aspects with you at interview stage.
Meet our People: Careers ((url removed))
Recruitment Process: Recruitment process ((url removed))
We welcome your application and will make reasonable adjustments where required to support you through the selection process.
Sibelco Targets: Sibelco priorities ((url removed))
We have set clearly defined sustainability priorities and targets, with key environmental and social objectives , which include Health & Safety, Climate & Energy, Community Engagement, Human Rights and Business Ethics.
Please note we have a Global Talent Acquisition Team and we will not therefore be requiring agency services
About UsBe part of something specialIf you are looking for a fast-moving, diverse and challenging career where you can make a real difference, Sibelco could be the right company for you. Scroll down to explore our latest career opportunities and learn more about what it is like to work at Sibelco.
