Patent Scientist

Established in 1927, SICPA is a Swiss private technology company that supports the effective governance and long-term prosperity of nations.

SICPA sets the pulse of sovereignty, enabling governments to protect their citizens, sovereign assets, and economies. Best known for securing the majority of the world’s banknotes, SICPA operates across five continents. Today, our platform for sovereignty delivers integrated solutions safeguarding revenue mobilisation, natural resources, health, and brand protection as well as digital sovereignty and secure public services. 

We are looking for a Patent Scientist to join our Research & Innovation Department, reporting to the Head of Innovation Management. This role will primarily focus on Detection and Digital technologies, supporting the protection and valorisation of SICPA’s intellectual property (IP) in these strategic areas. You will work at the intersection of R&D, Business and Operations teams, and collaborate with the Legal IP team to identify, develop and secure high-value innovations.

ROLE

• Contribute to protecting and valorising SICPA’s IP assets across a broad spectrum of technologies, scientific domains and business activities
• Engage and collaborate with internal inventors and technology partners to identify and extract patentable inventions, prepare technical memos and lead the preparation of patent applications or trade secrets
• Work closely with the internal patent attorneys to ensure that the scope and value of the inventions are accurately reflected in patent applications
• Assist the Legal IP team in filing and defending patent applications until patents are granted
• Contribute to address key strategic questions and imperatives regarding the patent portfolio
• Work in tandem with the Legal IP team, the Research & Innovation teams and the Business Units, focusing on the technical memo contents to:
  • Formulate strategies and responses to third party observations
  • Evaluate and mitigate third-party IP risks
  • Conduct oppositions
  • Assess IP clearance and Freedom to Operate
• Drive the patent watch, monitoring and landscaping activities as part of a global and multi-disciplinary competitive intelligence effort

PROFILE

• MSc and/or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering or Applied Physics
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in industry, ideally within an R&D environment
• Strong technical expertise in signal processing, machine learning and optics, with the ability to collaborate closely with researchers to identify and articulate novel inventions
• Exposure to intellectual property topics (e.g. patent searches, analysis tools) is a plus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, engineers, technology partners (startups, corporates, academia), patent counsels, and business teams
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a demanding, fast-paced environment
• Curious, open-minded and keen to explore new technologies and ideas
• Strong analytical mindset with a high level of attention to detail
• Team-oriented, proactive, and eager to learn and contribute
• High level of integrity, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Proficient with standard IT tools (e.g. MS Office)
• Fluent in French and English

WHY JOIN US?

• Join a global leader in trust technologies with a mission that matters
• Be at the strategic heart of a financially sound and innovation-driven company
• Collaborate with high-level experts and work on impactful international projects
• Operate in a multi-cultural, high-integrity environment where autonomy and ownership are encouraged