Intellectual Property Department
Job Description
A Senior Patent Examiner is mainly deployed on performing the duties under the Patents Ordinance (Cap. 514) in relation to substantive examination of original grant patent applications and short-term patents, provision of technical input and all necessary assistance in relation to hearings and other examination tasks, as well as providing support in the operation and management of the substantive examination team, and promotional and industry development activities. Note: Appointed candidates will be subject to redeployment to different sections of the Original Grant Patent Team or other duties at the discretion of the Department.
Requirements
Candidates should have – (a) a bachelor's degree with second class honours or above in one or more subject(s) in the field of Chemistry, Electricity and/or Mechanical Engineering* from a local university in Hong Kong, or equivalent (see item (b) of “How to Apply” below); and (b)(i) at least four years of experience in substantive examination of patent applications in an intellectual property/patent office (“substantive examination experience”); or (ii) at least six years of experience in prosecuting tasks relating to substantive examination of patent applications in English or Chinese, including but not limited to drafting patent specification and claims, providing advice on issues on patentability, prosecution of patent applications and other pre-grant or post-grant patent related issues, such as patent validity (“patent prosecution experience”); or (iii) at least five years of substantive examination experience and patent prosecution experience, with a minimum of two years of substantive examination experience. * The three major fields of Chemistry, Electricity and Mechanical Engineering are broadly classified to include, but not limited to, the following technical subjects: Chemistry:- Applied Biology; Applied Chemistry; Biochemistry; Bioengineering; Biological Science; Biomedical Engineering; Biomedicine; Biotechnology; Cell and Molecular Biology; Chemical Engineering; Chemical Technology; Chemistry; Chinese Medicine; Environmental Science; Food Science; Green Energy Science; Life Science; Medical Engineering; Medical Technology; Medicine; Pharmacology; Pharmacy Electricity:- Applied Physics; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Electricity; Electronic Engineering; Information Engineering; Information Technology; Internet & Multimedia Technologies; Physics; Telecommunication Mechanical Engineering:- Civil Engineering; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Mechanical Engineering; Mechatronic Engineering? Note: Candidates should have good comprehensive, analytical, research and presentation skills and be able to explain complicated issues in clear terms.
Terms of Appointment: Successful candidates will be appointed on non-civil service contract terms for one year. Renewal of contract will be subject to the service needs of the Department and the performance of the candidate.
Remuneration
$82,330 per month
Fringe Benefits An end-of-contract gratuity may be granted if the contract is satisfactorily completed with consistently high standard of performance and conduct. Such gratuity, if granted, plus any contribution made by the Government to a Mandatory Provident Fund (“MPF”) Scheme in respect of an appointee as required by the MPF Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485), will be equal to 15% of the total basic salary drawn during the contract period. 12 days paid annual leave. Sickness allowance, rest days, statutory holidays and paternity/maternity leave, where appropriate, will be granted in line with the provisions of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57).
(a) Applicants must apply online through the G.F. 340 Online Application System of the Civil Service Bureau (https://www.csb.gov.hk). (b) A full curriculum vitae (C.V.) setting out - (1) local academic qualification; and/or (2) overseas academic qualification (with scanned copies of certificates and transcripts); and (3) employment records with detailed description of duties and experience (with scanned copies of documentary proof of the working experience), must be submitted by email to the designated email address (adminunit.pr@ipd.gov.hk) within one week after the close of the application period. The title of the post being applied for and the on-line application number should be quoted in the e-mail and copies of the supporting documents. Holders of academic qualifications other than those obtained from Hong Kong institutions / Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority may also apply but their qualifications will be subject to assessments on equivalence with the required entry qualifications. Candidates should submit scanned copies of their diplomas / certificates, official transcripts of studies and official documents stating the mode of delivery (e.g. full time / part time, on campus / distance learning, etc.) of the study programmes to the designated email address (adminunit.pr@ipd.gov.hk). To facilitate the assessment of the qualifications, candidates should provide the above documents for all other relevant qualifications obtained as far as possible. Candidates who hold academic qualifications awarded by local institutions/ Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority are not required to submit photocopies of the official transcripts and certificates at this stage of application. (c) Applications which are incomplete or submitted in person, by post, by fax or by e-mail will NOT be considered. If the required C.V. and the supporting documents are not provided/sufficient, or are submitted after the stipulated deadline, such applications will NOT be considered. If it is not clear from the applications that the entry requirements are met, the applications will NOT be considered. (d) All relevant academic qualifications and professional experience should be obtained on or before the closing date for application. Qualifications and professional experience obtained after the closing date for application will NOT be considered. (e) Candidates who are selected for interview will normally receive an invitation in about eight to twelve weeks after the closing date for application. Candidates may be required to complete a written work during the interview. Those who are not invited for interview may assume that their applications are unsuccessful. As invitations will be issued by email, candidates should provide an accurate email address. To avoid missing any invitation or notification, candidates are responsible for (a) ensuring that the settings of their email accounts do not block emails from any of the Enquiry Email Addresses; and (b) checking each incoming mailbox (including the spam folder) regularly.