IPONZ. Who we are and what we do.

Careers at IPONZ

Careers at the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand

Careers at the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand


Intellectual property (IP) protection allows people to control and be rewarded for their innovations and creative efforts. IP assets like patents for new inventions, trade marks for branding goods and services and registered designs for eye-appealing product designs can be bought, sold and licensed.

IPONZ is responsible for: granting New Zealand patents, designs, trade marks and plant variety rights; recording changes in ownership and licence agreements; publishing the official Journal, and managing registrability hearings. IPONZ also acts as a Receiving Office for Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) international applications on behalf of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Interested in a science career outside of the lab?

Interested in a science career outside of the lab?


A patent examiner often gets to consider cutting edge technologies before the research papers are published. This job will use your analytical skills, technical expertise and in-house acquired legal knowledge to examine inventions. A design examiner gets to check out the latest product designs. This job will use your spatial reasoning, product design know-how and in-house acquired legal knowledge to examine eye-appealing design applications for everything from equipment through to wallpaper.

Interested in becoming a trade marks examiner?

Interested in becoming a trade marks examiner?


You are surely familiar with some of our more famous Trade Marks, for example, Magnum ice creams, Dove beauty bar and of course Buzzy Bee.

A letter, word, phrase, sound, smell, shape, logo, picture, aspect of packaging or any combination of these can be included as a Trade Mark. A business who owns a trade mark relies heavily on it to position itself in the market. Recognised trade marks help to communicate a desired image and level of quality.

As a Trade Mark Examiner you will review trade mark applications in order to make sure they meet the requirements for registration. You will be amongst the first to see new and exciting ideas. Your job is to review the written claims in each class applied for protection, conduct searches to see if there are any conflicting trade marks and determine whether the mark meets other requirements under the current legislation.

What are we looking for?

What are we looking for?


Patents Team

Someone willing to:

  • work as part of a professional team, keep up-to-date with technology learn new skills, and can cope with routine work.


With academic qualifications in:

  • Biotechnology (biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology)
  • Engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical, computer and product design)
  • Chemistry (organic and inorganic), or
  • Telecommunications.


You will have:

  • strong communication skills, critical thinking skills an eye for detail, and enthusiasm for your technology area.


Trade Marks Team

We are looking for people who have skills in researching, interpreting, analysing and evaluating information. Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills are important. The ability to work with a diverse range of people, identify work group priorities and the desire to work towards team goals are also important to perform well in the role.

Experience in a role applying legislation or applying your understanding of Intellectual Property law and its impact on a country’s’ economy would be an advantage but is not essential.

Who do I contact?

Who do I contact?

 

Human Resources

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

PO Box 1473

WELLINGTON

email: recruitment@med.govt.nz

Vacancies are posted here.

Expressions of interest are welcome.

Please telephone 0508 4 IPONZ (0508 447 669)

 

Last updated 14 October 2011