Patent Attorney

We are looking for a dynamic European Patent Attorney who is passionate about working at the interface between biology, technology and data-driven innovations. Join our team and be a key player in connecting our cutting-edge R&D with strategic IP objectives. 

What are you going to do? 

As a qualified European Patent Attorney, you collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement IP strategies that align with our technological advancements and business goals. You will be working on the interface between biology, technology, and data-driven innovations. In this challenging role, you keep up with new technologies and industry trends to spot IP opportunities and risks.  

Furthermore, you play a key role in securing Enza Zaden’s freedom-to-operate (FTO) position and in protecting the key inventions of the company. You will work in a small, dedicated team consisting of a Formalities Officer, a Patent Attorney Trainee, and an IP Manager. This IP Team is embedded within the Legal Department. 

Your responsibilities include: 

• Discuss technical developments with inventors, and maintain detailed records of IP-related activities and documentation, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; 

• Evaluate invention disclosure forms and other scientific / technical documents in the context of the company’s policy, to assess whether a technical development is patentable and worth patenting; 

• Prosecute Enza Zaden’s patent applications (worldwide) and manage interactions with outside counsels; 

• Assess third party patent documents with a view to potential relevance, validity and strategies to maintain FTO; 

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

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

• Create awareness and contribute to the training of various colleagues in other departments on matters of IP. 

• Contribute to the execution of the IP Strategic Plan supporting key elements relating to seed technology research and data-driven innovations. Where necessary, create new ways of working in existing functions of an organization to enable or improve the implementation of the strategy. 

• Support and coach other members of the IP team, including the mentoring of patent attorney trainee(s). 

Your Power and Capabilities 
You will work in the exciting field of IP for an innovative global market leader in the seed industry. You are a fully qualified, seasoned European Patent Attorney who has great interpersonal skills. With your knowledge of biology or biotechnology and your experience in data-driven innovations, you further strengthen the IP Team and the Legal department. Your excellent communication skills enable you to construct bridges between the IP Team, other functions within innovation and technology, and external patent advisors. You are curious and like to work in an international environment.  You have a strong analytical mind and are able to shift 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 initiatives of your own and are a pragmatic problem solver.  

In addition, you: 

• Are a qualified European Patent Attorney having at least 5 years of experience as an in-house attorney; 

• Hold an MSc or PhD in biology or biotechnology 

• Have relevant experience in handling innovations that are related to data, computer algorithms, and/or artificial intelligence. 

• Have a demonstrable track record of managing a global patent portfolio 

• Can pro-actively organize a challenging workload; 

• Are a team player with a strong sense of responsibility and the capability of working independently; 

• Ideally, having experience in driving change in an organization, especially regarding the creation of new cross-functional working structures. 

• Are proficient in English and preferably Dutch. 

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Enza Zaden as your employer  

With more than 3,000 passionate team members across the world, we're on 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, independence and our focus on innovation have truly set us apart. Over 480 million people eat our vegetables every day, something we are very proud of! Our passion isn't just a trademark; it's our driving force, propelling our rapid growth. If you're ready 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, present and future.  

What can you expect from 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 work arrangements; 

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

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

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

• 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-learning platform; 

• 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 link to our website. 

Get in touch 

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 to know 

• This position cannot be filled on an interim basis; 

• Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on background, identity or personal characteristics.