IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

 

1. Organizational context

(a)  Organizational Setting

Fellowships aim to provide fellows with experience to strengthen their knowledge and professional competence, which they can apply in their professional field once they have completed their fellowship with WIPO. Fellowships are awarded for specific activities, which provide the fellows training, within the approved workplan of the employing office.

 

This fellowship is located in the Patents and Treaties Law Section (PTLS) of the Patent and Technology Law Division (PTLD), Patents and Technology Sector (PTS). Patent and Technology Law Division is responsible for the implementation of WIPO's strategic goals concerning the balanced evolution of the international normative framework for intellectual property in the area of patents, trade secrets, technology and integrated circuits, and for providing the design and implementation of balanced legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks in these areas of Intellectual Property. 

 

The Patents and Treaties Law Section facilitates normative development of international law in the aforementioned fields of intellectual property at all levels of the normative hierarchy. Through the provision of comprehensive and reliable information, the Section also assists Member States in the development of balanced legislative and policy frameworks and practices.

 

With training by, and under the supervision of the Head of the Patents and Treaties Law Section, the fellow assists the section by performing selected tasks such as conducting research and analyses on topics relating to patents, utility models, trade secrets and layout designs of integrated circuits, and providing Secretariat services to the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP).

 

(b)  Reporting Lines

 

The Fellow shall work under the supervision of the Head, Patents and Treaties Law Section.

 

2. Duties and responsibilities

The Fellow will be required to perform the following principal duties:

(i)              Carry out research on various topics in the assigned work area; perform comparative analyses of legislation and practice of different Member States;

(ii)             Provide input and prepare initial drafts of working documents for WIPO technical committees and bodies, guides, legal opinions, and other documents pertaining to the functions and activities of the work unit;

(iii)            Assist in replying to general correspondence and inquiries and provide advice on general legal questions concerning the law of patents, utility models, undisclosed information/trade secrets and layout designs (topographies) of integrated circuits;

(iv)           Participate in updating information on the webpages in the area of work unit;

(v)             Participate in internal and external conferences and meetings, and deliver presentations as required;

(vi)           Carry out other activities as required in the area of work unit and perform such other related duties.

 

3. Requirements

a)       Education:

Essential: First level university degree in law, or in a related discipline.

Desirable: Specialization in intellectual property law, preferably patent law.

b)       Experience:

Essential: At least two years of relevant professional experience in the field of intellectual property law and practice in the public or private sector.

Desirable: Experience in conducting research and writing in the area of patent law and policy.

c)       Languages:

Essential: Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of English.

Desirable: Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of Arabic or Russian or Spanish.

d)       Specific skills and competencies:

Essential:

-        Broad understanding of intellectual property law and knowledge of legal principles of patent, utility model and trade secret laws.

-        Ability to design and conduct research and analyze defined aspects of legal issues.

-        Ability to draft legal texts in a clear, concise, and logical manner.

-        Ability to communicate complex legal issues in written and oral forms.

-        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

-        Confident user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the internet, and the ability to adapt quickly to new software.

Desirable:

-        Familiarity with data collection, parsing, visualization methods and record keeping with the use of digital tools.

 

4. Organizational competencies

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

 

5. Terms and conditions

a)     Term of fellowship: A fellowship may be granted for a period of up to 12 months. The contract may be extended one or more times, provided that the maximum cumulative length of the fellowship does not exceed a period of three years.

b)     Anticipated Start Date: March 1, 2026.

c)     Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

d)     Stipend: 6,000 CHF monthly

e)     Travel expenses: WIPO shall contribute towards the cost of the Fellow’s travel on engagement and separation from service. If necessary, WIPO may provide assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.  

f)      WIPO contributes to the medical insurance and provides accident insurance coverage during the course of the fellowship.

g)     WIPO will request a “carte de legitimation” for the Fellow, which serves as a residence and work permit, from the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva. Family members of the Fellow are not eligible for a “carte de legitimation.”

h)     Tax and social security: Fellows shall be solely responsible for meeting any taxation and social security obligations that may arise directly or indirectly from their contract with WIPO.

Additional information

WIPO values diversity among its personnel and is committed to equal employment opportunities. We welcome applications from qualified candidates from unrepresented Member States of WIPO, and from underrepresented geographical regions and groups, including people with disabilities. If candidates need any accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, they should contact their HR focal point when they receive an invitation.

Fellows are not staff members of WIPO, and the position does not lead to any employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of the fellowship.

The Fellowship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland and it cannot be carried out remotely.

By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references. Additional background checks may be required.