You play a key role in protecting intellectual property by identifying opportunities, managing patent applications, and developing strategies to challenge third-party patents, all while ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Anforderungen
- •MSc or PhD in physical chemistry (preferred)
- •Qualified European Patent Attorney
- •3 to 7 years’ post qualification experience
- •Experience building relationships with stakeholders
- •Excellent communication skills
- •High level of organizational skills
- •Fluent in English (C2)
- •French, German or Dutch an asset
Deine Aufgaben
- •Identify opportunities for IP protection.
- •Advise on protection strategies with innovation teams.
- •Draft, file, and prosecute patent applications.
- •Align patent applications with business goals.
- •Develop strategies to challenge third-party patents.
- •Defend company patents during post-grant proceedings.
- •Manage patent oppositions and invalidation challenges.
- •Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses.
- •Evaluate and mitigate third-party patent risks.
- •Monitor competitors' IP activities.
- •Build and manage a strong patent portfolio.
- •Contribute to patent portfolio reviews with teams.
Deine Vorteile
Strategic IP department opportunity
Talented team collaboration
Interdisciplinary and diverse team
Diverse projects in foods
Company with strong legacy
Original Beschreibung
Job ID:
74398
Date:
Jul 8, 2025
Hybrid (Company Facility + Home Office)
Job function:
Legal
Experience level:
Experienced Hire
Business:
Intellectual Property
# (Senior) Counsel IP
**Work Location:**Satigny, Geneva, Switzerland OR Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
We are seeking an EQE qualified in-house patent counsel to join our IP team. This position will be responsible for managing and implementing all aspects of the assigned business unit IP strategy, including patent portfolio life cycle management, drafting and prosecuting patent applications, handling oppositions and appeals and managing third-party IP risk. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing our IP portfolio, supporting business objectives and ensuring the company’s IP is protected and defended.
**Your key responsibilities**
* Pro-actively identify opportunities for IP protection and provide advice on protection strategies by working in close collaboration with innovation teams
* Draft, file and prosecute patent applications in various jurisdictions, ensuring alignment with business goals and long-term IP strategy
* Develop and implement strategies for challenging third-party patents and defending the company’s patents during post-grant proceedings, including managing patent oppositions or equivalent post grant challenges and invalidation of third-party patents
* Lead the identification, evaluation and mitigation of third-party patent risks through freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses, patent landscaping and monitoring of competitors' IP activities, working closely with key business stakeholders
* Help build and manage a strong patent portfolio that supports business growth and competitive advantage, including contributing to patent portfolio and prioritization reviews with cross divisional teams
**We offer**
* The opportunity to work in a strategic, and business priority, driven IP department
* The opportunity to work alongside a talented and experienced team of IP and business professionals
* Being part of an interdisciplinary and diverse team that encourages innovation and professional growth
* A diversity of exciting projects related to foods and fragranced products
* To be part of a company shaping a strong legacy through breakthrough industrial innovations and technology
**You bring**
* MSc or PhD (preferred) in the field of physical chemistry
* Qualified as a European Patent Attorney
* 3 to 7 years’ post qualification experience
* Experience of proactively building close relationships with key business stakeholders/clients
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical and legal issues into clear, actionable advice
* High level of organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
* Fluent in English (C2)
* French, German or Dutch an asset
**DEI and Equal Opportunity Statement**
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.
And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.
**Agency Statement**
We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.