Job Description

We arelooking fora dynamicEuropeanPatent Attorneywho ispassionateabout workingat the interface betweenbiology,technologyand data-driveninnovations. Joinour team and be a key player inconnectingourcutting-edgeR&Dwithstrategic IPobjectives

What are you going to do?

As aqualified EuropeanPatent Attorney, youcollaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement IP strategies that align with our technological advancements and business goals.You will be workingonthe interface between biology,technology,and data-driven innovations.In thischallengingrole, you keep upwithnew technologiesand industry trends to spot IP opportunities and risks.

Furthermore,youplaya key role insecuringEnza Zaden’s freedom-to-operate (FTO)positionand in protecting the key inventions of the company You willwork in asmall, dedicatedteam consisting of a Formalities Officer, a Patent AttorneyTrainee,and an IP Manager. This IP Team is embedded within the Legal Department.

Your responsibilitiesinclude:

• Discuss technical developments with inventors, andmaintaindetailedrecordsofIP-relatedactivities anddocumentation, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatoryrequirements;

• Evaluateinvention disclosure forms and otherscientifictechnical documentsin the context of the company’s policy, to assess whethera technicaldevelopment is patentableand worthpatenting;

• ProsecuteEnza Zaden’s patent applications (worldwide) andmanageinteractions with outsidecounsels;

• Assessthird partypatent documents with a view to potential relevance,validityand strategies tomaintainFTO;

• Perform or coordinate FTO searches and analyses for assigned cropsortechnologies. Monitor (validity of) competitors' patent applications and patents and inform relevant internal clients when potential threats areidentified

• Manage and check content of opposition proceedings with our external (patent) attorneys and prosecution of more complex patent applications.

• Create awareness andcontribute to thetraining of various colleaguesin other departmentson matters of IP.

• Contribute to the execution of the IPStrategicPlansupporting key elements relating to seedtechnology research and data-driven innovationsWhere necessary, create new ways of working in existing functions of an organization to enable orimprovethe implementation of the strategy.

• Support and coach other members of the IP team, including thementoring ofpatent attorneytrainee(s)

Your Powerand Capabilities
You will work in the exciting field of IPforan innovative global market leader in the seed industry. Youare a fully qualified, seasoned European Patent Attorneywho has great interpersonal skills.With your knowledgeof biology or biotechnologyandyour experienceindata-driven innovations,you further strengthen theIP Team and theLegal departmentYour excellent communication skills enable youto constructbridgesbetween theIPTeam, otherfunctionswithin innovation andtechnology,and external patent advisors.You are curiousandliketoworkin an international environmentYouhaveastrong analyticalmindandare able toshift rapidly between different perspectives, from focusing on detail to seeing the big picture and back again.You take responsibility for developing the IP strategy for your own domains, together with the IP Manager.You start initiativesof your own and are a pragmatic problem solver

In addition, you

• Are aqualified European Patent Attorneyhaving at least 5 years of experience as an in-houseattorney;

• Hold an MSc orPhDinbiology orbiotechnology

• Have relevant experienceinhandling innovations that are related to data, computeralgorithms,and/or artificial intelligence.

• Have a demonstrabletrack recordof managing a global patent portfolio

• Canpro-activelyorganize a challengingworkload;

• Area team playerwitha strong senseof responsibility and the capability of workingindependently;

• Ideally,havingexperience in driving change in an organization, especiallyregardingthe creation of new cross-functional working structures.

• Are proficient inEnglish and preferablyDutch.

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Enza Zadenas your employer

With more than 3,000 passionate team members across the world,we'reon a daily mission to develop the finest vegetable varieties. Our goal? To deliver seeds with that special something: vegetables with better taste, better yields, and better resistance. On our mission to feed the world, we challenge ourselves to gain deeper insights and find the next breakthrough. We grow and innovate together, and everyone’s contribution is valued. Throughout our 86 years, our family values, passion,independenceand our focus on innovation have truly set us apart. Over 480 million people eat our vegetables every day, something we arevery proudof! Our passionisn'tjust a trademark;it'sour driving force, propelling our rapid growth. Ifyou'reready to explore your potential and thrive in a supportive environment, we welcome you to develop your talents with us. The combination of entrepreneurship, initiative and a healthy dose of determination has made Enza Zaden great and brought us where we are today. Enza Zaden is and always will be in motion: in the past,presentand future.   

What can youexpectfrom us

As a family-owned company, we support you to thrive in all areas of life, so that you can be successful inside and outside of work. We offer:

• Flexible workarrangements;

• 25 paid vacation days (employees have theoptionto buy extra vacation days equivalent to two times their weekly working hours);

• 1 paid vitality day for all, plus extra days as your ageincreases;

• Contribution for overnight stays if you live further away from EnzaZaden;  

• Laptop + smartphone

We aspire to be a good employer that cares for our employees, both during and after their careers at Enza Zaden. Our most important benefits include:

• Active partnership in your professional development (personal growth);

• Tailor-made leadership development programs and global e-learningplatform;

• Employer sponsored retirement benefits.

Join us for a career that grows with you! Are you curious to know more about Enza Zaden click on this linkto our website.

Get intouch

Apply now using the application button. You will receive an automatic confirmation of your application within minutes, and we will respond to your application within 10 working days. 

Do you have any questions about our application process? Please feel free to reach out to:

Sandra Hoeneveld, Corporate Recruiter

s.hoeneveld-blekkink@enzazaden.nl

Good toknow

• This position cannot be filled on an interimbasis;

• Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on background,identityor personalcharacteristics