PhD Placement

Join us for your professional PhD placement and you will benefit from:

Knowledge application: Apply knowledge from research and studies to the world of IP while gaining an insight into patent law and its application in the rapidly evolving fields of applied AI/ML in chemical and material technologies.
Practical Experience and Personal Development: Complete a research-based project to deliver high quality, commercially relevant work and develop yourself academically, professionally and personally.
Published Work: Outcomes from research will be used to support articles and blogs published on our website and LinkedIn page, and potentially also legal sector publications. Take a look at the links below for published articles from previous placements.
Professional Guidance: Work alongside our patent practitioners and commercial colleagues and be supported and mentored by a partner during the placement.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with IP experts and like-minded peers across our UK offices to expand your professional network.

Who should apply?

We are excited by and engaged in the application of AI and ML to chemical and materials technologies. We are therefore particularly keen to work with PhD students who are eager to further explore how AI is being used to stimulate and accelerate innovation.

If you have fluency in AI and ML and would like to explore the intersection of chemistry/materials, IP and AI, we would love to hear from you. Your specialist knowledge base will include the application of AI and ML to chemical/materials technology, with the following areas being of particular interest:

Battery technologies
Composite materials
Sustainable / green chemistry
Advanced polymers
Pharma, medicinal chemistry and chemical biology

No knowledge of patent law or the intellectual property sector is needed. All applicants must possess the following skills.

Strong communication especially in writing
Open-minded approach to learning and a curious mind!
High competence in working with data sets, including basic (python) coding
Aptitude for working independently as well as part of a collective

Who are we?

We are the forward-looking European IP firm, with more than 150 years' experience in IP. We work with organisations building the brands and technology that will define tomorrow.

Our attorneys, and lawyers assist our clients across the entire range of IP services and have expertise across a diverse range of scientific disciplines.

Key information

Duration: 8-to-12-week placement with flexible start dates
Location: Based in any one of our 4 UK offices in London, Manchester, Bristol or Cambridge (we will facilitate travel and accommodation for visits to the other offices)
Funding: The placement is unpaid, students should confirm funding with their CDT, University, or Research Council

How to apply

Please Email Victoria Moore at recruitment@mewburn.com with your CV and overview explaining why you would like to join us, your scientific area of interest and location preference.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome a broad diversity of talent to apply.

We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to our dynamic team.