Patent Technical assistant at Adams & Adams

Duties and responsibilities

Adams & Adams is looking for individuals holding degrees in science or engineering to join the firm from 1 March 2023 as technical assistants to the firm’s patent attorneys in one or more of their Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban offices, on a fixed-term or permanent basis. 

Successful candidates may be expected to commence or continue studies toward a law degree upon joining the firm and shall be required to complete the examinations set by the Patent Examination Board (PEB). 

Performance measurements may include a requirement to complete a law degree within a predetermined amount of time and shall include a requirement to complete the PEB examinations within a predetermined amount of time. 

Where applicable, candidates may be offered a position of candidate patent attorney upon completing a law degree and the PEB examinations, depending on the meeting of additional performance criteria.

Responsibilities would include assisting patent attorneys in the firm’s patent department by providing technical input and guidance on the technical subject matter of inventions for which patent protection is sought; conducting patent-related searches; advising clients on aspects of patentability, patent infringement, and patenting strategy; drafting patent specifications; formulating and drafting technical arguments to counter patentability objections raised by foreign patent offices; reviewing patent specifications for compliance with South African laws and practices; and amending patent specifications. 

Working as a technical assistant to a patent attorney is drafting-intensive, comprising mainly the drawing up of legal documents and corresponding with clients.  Candidates who apply should therefore have a strong and well-developed writing and communication ability and must have an interest in building their skills and career around writing and communicating in the field of the patenting of inventions.

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

Candidates applying for the position should exhibit the following personal attributes, in respect of which they may be tested if shortlisted:

• strong writing and speaking abilities;
• a pre-existing interest in reading, writing, and communicating;
• able to work accurately with great attention to detail;
• excellent analytical skills;
• able to work in an organized, systematic fashion;
• able to work under pressure and to manage conflicting demands from various individuals in management positions simultaneously;
• able to work both individually and as part of a team;
• fully computer literate in Microsoft Office suite programs;
• a willingness to learn;
• problem solving abilities; and
• dedication.

 Qualification/s

Either of –

• a postgraduate degree (preference will be given to candidates in possession of masters and doctorate degrees) in chemistry (including organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry), biology (including microbiology, genetics, and biotechnology) physics, or computer science; or
• an engineering degree (with preference for chemical engineering, process engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, and mechatronic engineering)

Possession of a completed law degree is not required.  The nature of the position favours candidates who have not yet commenced studies toward a law degree, or who have only partially completed a law degree, and preference shall be given to such candidates.