APS Level 6 - Examiner Of Patents

Position Description

The Patents Examination Group (PEG) is responsible for examining Australian and International patent applications. PEG includes over 350 scientists and engineers who work as Patent Examiners to review patent applications and determine whether a patent can be granted for the invention.

As a Patent Examiner, you will use your technical expertise in combination with the legal training we provide (see training section below), to assess whether patent applications comply with the requirements set out in patent legislation. This includes searching patent and scientific databases to ensure the invention is new and inventive. This means Patent Examiners are amongst the first to see new developments across a wide range of emerging technologies!

The role also has a customer service element as you will correspond with patent attorneys, or directly with applicants/inventors, to resolve issues within their applications.

In addition to technology-specific skills, we’re looking for people who are self-driven and motivated; have strong time management skills; clear, concise, and logical written and oral communication skills; and a high capability to make evidence-based decisions. Examiners work independently and as part of a small team to contribute to the goals of their technical section of up to 30 people.

Several full-time positions are being offered within various sections and disciplines. For detailed information on each discipline, including contact officers to discuss the roles in more detail, please refer to Table A in the candidate kit.

We have developed a suite of videos to help you understand what it’s like to work as a Patent Examiner at IP Australia, links to these videos can be found in the candidate kit.

Position Duties

Specific duties of a Patent Examiner include:

• Using your technical knowledge to examine the application and determine whether the invention is described clearly and in such a way that a skilled person would be able to use it
• Researching and analysing scientific literature and patent databases to make sure that the invention is new and inventive
• Communicating the outcome of examination to the applicant and patent attorney, and considering their responses
• Maintaining an understanding of their responsibilities under the Work Health & Safety Act 2011 and a commitment to promoting a healthy and safe workplace
• Contributing to the Patents Examination Group and IP Australia to achieve our strategic goals.

Looking for more information?

Our candidate kit contains details including the capabilities required, the contact officer, please refer to the Candidate Kit available by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

Applications close at 11:55pm AEDT on Sunday, 24 March 2024.