Patent Attorney

We are looking for a dynamic European Patent Attorney who is passionate about working at the interface between biology, technology and data-driven innovations. Join our team and be a key player in connecting our cutting‑edge R&D with strategic IP objectives. As a qualified European Patent Attorney, you collaborate with cross‑functional teams to develop and implement IP strategies that align with our technological advancements and business goals. You will be working on the interface between biology, technology, and data‑driven innovations. In this challenging role, you keep up with new technologies and industry trends to spot IP opportunities and risks. Furthermore, you play a key role in securing Enza Zaden’s freedom‑to‑operate (FTO) position and in protecting the key inventions of the company.

You will work in a small, dedicated team consisting of a Formalities Officer, a Patent Attorney Trainee, and an IP Manager. This IP Team is embedded within the Legal Department.

• Discuss technical developments with inventors, and maintain detailed records of IP‑related activities and documentation, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate invention disclosure forms and other scientific/technical documents in the context of the company’s policy to assess whether a technical development is patentable and worth patenting.
• Prosecute Enza Zaden’s patent applications worldwide and manage interactions with outside counsels.
• Assess third‑party patent documents with a view to potential relevance, validity and strategies to maintain FTO.
• Perform or coordinate FTO searches and analyses for assigned crops or technologies.
• Monitor the validity of competitors’ patent applications and patents and inform relevant internal clients when potential threats are identified.
• Manage and check the content of opposition proceedings with our external patent attorneys and prosecute more complex patent applications.
• Create awareness and contribute to the training of various colleagues in other departments on matters of IP.
• Contribute to the execution of the IP Strategic Plan supporting key elements relating to seed technology research and data‑driven innovations.
• Where necessary, create new ways of working in existing functions of an organization to enable or improve the implementation of the strategy.
• Support and coach other members of the IP team, including mentoring a patent attorney trainee.

• Qualified European Patent Attorney with at least 5 years of experience as an in‑house attorney.
• Hold an MSc or PhD in biology or biotechnology.
• Relevant experience in handling innovations related to data, computer algorithms, and/or artificial intelligence.
• Demonstrable track record of managing a global patent portfolio.
• Can proactively organize a challenging workload.
• Team player with a strong sense of responsibility and the capability of working independently.
• Ideally, experience in driving change in an organization, especially regarding the creation of new cross‑functional working structures.
• Proficient in English and preferably Dutch.

We offer the following benefits:

• Flexible work arrangements
• 25 paid vacation days (employees have the option to buy extra vacation days equivalent to two times their weekly working hours)
• 1 paid vitality day for all, plus extra days as your age increases
• Contribution for overnight stays if you live further away from Enza Zaden
• Laptop + smartphone
• Active partnership in your professional development (personal growth)
• Tailor‑made leadership development programs and global e‑learning platform
• Employer‑sponsored retirement benefits

Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on background, identity or personal characteristics. This position cannot be filled on an interim basis.