Trainee Patent Attorney - Biotech Brisbane

For over 140 years, Davies Collison Cave (DCC) have been protecting creativity and embracing innovation.  We are one of the largest, most respected Intellectual Property Firms servicing local and international clients with offices in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.   Our renowned team of talented professionals work with world-class clients and brands across three legal services areas: Patents; Trademarks and Intellectual Property law.  

We work with a full range of clients including large international companies, foreign patent attorneys, local companies and start-ups, Universities and research organisations, and individual inventors.  We work proactively and in close collaboration with our clients to ensure they receive high quality, commercially-relevant advice and outcomes.

The strength of DCC is and has always been the experience and expertise of our people.  Many of our practitioners are recognised as world leaders in their field.  Our values of excellence through collegiality and engaging leadership have allowed us to attract the finest talent with diverse skills and backgrounds and access to rewarding and fulfilling career pathways.   

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a person with a life sciences background to join our dynamic Biotechnology team as a Trainee Patent Attorney, on a full-time basis in our Brisbane office.

Your day-to-day work will involve all aspects of private patent attorney practice under the supervision of qualified patent attorneys. This can include:

• Meeting with inventors to determine the nature of proposed inventions and to form a view as to their patentability.
• Conducting/arranging patent searches.
• Interpreting technical results of the searches and advising clients.
• Corresponding with local clients, individual inventors, overseas patent attorney firms and overseas corporate clients in respect of a wide range of intellectual property matters including:
• Advising on patentability of inventions.
• Advising on matters of patent law, including novelty and inventiveness requirements. 
• Preparing responses to Examination Reports.
• Preparing patent specifications for client inventions, and discussing same with clients, drawing on your expertise in the field of the invention.
• Infringement and validity analysis.

About You

• PhD in biological sciences, e.g. cell or gene therapy, oncology, vaccines, molecular biology, microbiology, synthetic biology and plant biotechnology.
• Additional post doctoral and/or industry experience would be valued.
• An excellent command of the English language and the ability to clearly and concisely communicate in writing and verbally.
• Able to assimilate and critically analyse complex information and think laterally.
• Well-organised and self-motivated.
• The ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• A willingness to undertake business development activities, including networking with clients and prospective clients.
• Prepared to undertake further (part-time) studies to qualify as an Australian Patent Attorney.

Why join us?

This is an exciting and dynamic role within a very supportive and inclusive team working with an internationally recognised firm while developing your career.

The benefits of working with DCC extend well beyond professional experience. We understand what is important to our people and we offer a highly collaborative work environment to support our team to excellence.  DCC has been recognised by Diversity Council Australia as an Inclusive Employer, provides flexible and hybrid working arrangements, offers paid parental leave, paid birthday leave and volunteering leave.  DCC also provides a range of well-being initiatives throughout the year. 

If you are ready to take on a rewarding role where you can grow and make an impact, we’d love to hear from you!   Please apply clicking the 'Apply' button where you will be redirected to DCC's career page to attach a resume and cover letter.  Please note only those candidates with full unconditional work rights will be considered. 

We look forward to learning more about you.