Oorspronkelijke vacature omschrijving:

Sr Counsel, Intellectual Properties – Europe

DEPARTMENT

Based at SABIC’s Technology Centres in Geleen or Bergen op Zoom, which are also the research facilities for the company’s Polymers division, the appointee will handle all global IP matters that arise from SABIC’s IP portfolio within certain Polymers business units.

JOB PURPOSE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing advice and counselling to SABIC’s businesses on all aspects of IP
• Implementing IP strategies to achieve global business objectives
• Invention harvesting – interfacing with scientists and engineers across Europe and from other SABIC Technology Centers world-wide to identify inventions
• Managing and assessing IP disclosures
• Drafting and prosecuting patent applications, including own drafting and prosecution as well as the management and supervision of this activity by outside counsel
• Patent/Registered Right Searching – In co-operation with SABIC’s IP Analysts group in India analysing the results from patent information databases for patentability and infringement assessment purposes in connection with new inventions and development projects and in relation to carrying out IP landscape searches
• Validity opinion – providing opinions on the validity of third party patents, either internally or with the use of outside counsel.
• Freedom-to-operate and Infringement Opinions - Providing infringement opinions, either internally or with the use of outside counsel
• European Patent Oppositions and oral proceedings in examination
• Contract Advice - Providing advice on and drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contracts, including: confidentiality agreements, R&D service agreements, joint development agreements, licensing agreements, and IP advice for business acquisitions
• Portfolio Management and Review - Assisting the supported businesses in regularly reviewing their patent portfolios for the purpose of retaining only those that are of commercial value
• Assisting and supporting IP due diligence activities
• Translating patent law issues and positions into business cases, as well as making recommendations for the business
• Educating internal business functions in the importance of intellectual property assets to the Group as a whole
• Working closely with the Senior Manager IP Europe and other team members of the global IP team in Europe, Saudi Arabia, USA, China and India, to ensure that IP services meet the business needs.

In conclusion, this is a highly demanding position, and candidates will be required to demonstrate a sound level of commercial acumen and professionalism. The appointed candidate will enjoy a high level of autonomy in dealing with a broad range of personnel. It also provides an opportunity for a well-rounded individual to influence and achieve considerable success with this established and well-respected company, and at the same time, build and enhance his/her own career, reputation and potential.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Master of Science (Polymer Chemistry background) and/or Technical Master’s Degree equivalent or higher, such as PhD
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in working with patent law and/or similar relevant experience
• Qualified European Patent attorney. National patent attorney qualification is a bonus for this role.
• Demonstrate problem solving skills and a commercial approach to IP, as well as an understanding of the specific needs of an ever-growing Polymers business
• Be highly motivated, with the ability to work proactively with the IP team on a global basis to achieve the desired results
• Possess an open, outward-going personality and a team player with excellent interpersonal skills sufficient to relate and engage with individuals at all levels within the organization on a global basis
• Be cross-culturally sensitive in view of the multi-national working environment
• Be a “self-starter” with a “hands-on” approach to working and possess a high degree of self-motivation, setting oneself the highest of standards as an example to others
• Be highly organized with the ability to manage a challenging workload, including the prioritization of duties when required
• Possess the ability to remain calm under pressure and be able to handle tight deadlines
• Be analytical with the capability to address complex technical matters in a concise and efficient manner, balanced by common sense
• Possess excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Be flexible, adaptable and comfortable working within a multicultural company with high standards of ethics and behavior
• Be a natural, flexible team-player and display excellent diplomatic and interpersonal skills. Qualities of discretion and confidentiality are also important to the role.
• Fluency in English both written and oral is essential, any additional European languages including German, French and/or Dutch would be a bonus

Location: The Netherlands, Geleen or Bergen op Zoom

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please apply online by sending us your CV and motivation letter in English. Due to data privacy reasons we do not handle any applications sent by email. For additional questions you can contact: Karl Davies, Corporate Recruiter via email -Karl.Davies@sabic.com The application closing-date is 31st May 2022.

Please be informed that a reference check, an employment verification and E-assessment are part of our recruitment process. A Certificate of Good Conduct can be requested depending on the level of the role in our organization and/or function, allowing us to request depending on local regulations.

Responses from employment agencies will not be considered.

ABOUT SABIC

SABIC is a global diversified chemicals company, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We manufacture on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, making distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity and high performance plastics, agri-nutrients and metals. We support our customers by identifying and developing opportunities in key end-use applications such as construction, medical devices, packaging, agri-nutrients, electrical and electronics, transportation and clean energy. Our production in 2020 was 60.8 million metric tons.

We have more than 33,000 employees worldwide and operates in around 50 countries. Fostering innovation and a spirit of ingenuity, we have 9,000+ global patent filings, and significant research resources with innovation hubs in five key geographies – USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and North Asia.

In Europe, we have over 6,000 professionals running multiple world-scale production sites and 4 technology and innovation centers. We are present in almost every European country. Major locations within our broad network of innovation, production and marketing are: Teesside (UK), Cartagena (Spain), Gelsenkirchen (Germany), Geleen (the Netherlands), Bergen op Zoom (the Netherlands) and Genk (Belgium).

SABIC is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and as such will not discriminate in its employment practices, including recruiting and hiring practices, based on a person’s race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.