European Patent Attorney

At Syngenta Crop Protection, we're pioneering solutions that safeguard global food security while championing sustainable agriculture. As a world market leader headquartered in Switzerland, we empower farmers with innovative crop protection technologies that defend against nature's toughest challenges. We unite advanced science with digital solutions to develop intelligent crop protection that maximizes yields while minimizing environmental impact. Join our mission of revolutionizing plant protection from seed to harvest.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Magazine and it has been awarded with the "Friendly Work Space" label to all its Swiss sites.

Job Description

The Syngenta Crop Protection Legal & IP team is currently seeking a European Patent Attorney to join our Crop Protection Patents team at our headquarters in Basel. In this role, you will be responsible for a wide range of IP-related activities supporting the commercial objectives of the Syngenta Crop Protection business, including the delivery of effective IP strategies and providing IP support for our transaction teams. You will be expected to work as a pro-active business leader in an integrated perspective with R&D, Commercial, Legal and Licensing colleagues as appropriate.

This role is well-suited to early-career patent professionals and is designed to offer strong learning, mentorship, and structured development opportunities, with scope to grow in responsibility over time. We welcome applications from candidates who are at the beginning of their post qualified European Patent Attorney career and are motivated to develop their expertise in a multinational, cross-functional environment.

Your responsibilities:

This position will involve all aspects of Crop Protection IP practice, with an emphasis on:

• Drafting, filing, prosecution and defense of patents/patent applications in the area of crop protection-related inventions.
• Promotion and delivery of the innovative use of IP as an integral part of Syngenta Crop Protection business strategies. Develop global, regional and country IP strategies for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Advise the business with respect to the freedom-to-operate matters, and in certain cases prepare formal opinions.
• Client counselling, including evaluating patent validity and infringement issues, reviewing IP-related agreements and managing an IP portfolio.

Qualifications

• Qualified European Patent Attorney with up to 2 years post-qualification experience (PQE) in the patent profession. A national patent attorney qualification or work towards such qualification is considered beneficial.
• Degree or equivalent experience in organic chemistry, or closely related subject. Life sciences knowledge may be beneficial.
• Fluency in English.
• Excellent communication, problem solving, and organizational skills with strong interpersonal and team building skills.
• Self-starter mentality with ability to proactively identify issues and propose & implement solutions. Some evidence of having organised IP activities across a business unit would be beneficial.
• Ability to effectively and constructively interact with various functions at all levels of the organization.

Additional Information

What We Offer

We offer a variety of financial and non-financial benefits including:

• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment

• A superb working environment with an open culture and diverse workforce where new ideas are always welcome

• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees and gain scientific and technical excellence

• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options

• You will benefit from a competitive pension fund plan, flexible working arrangements, an attractive bonus system, an onsite doctor, a fitness room, a canteen, and other benefits such as family-friendly initiatives and child and family allowances.

Please send your complete application with English CV, diploma and work certificate copies (if applicable).