IP Counsel (m/f/d)

Clariant is a focused, sustainable, and innovative specialty chemical company. Our purpose is to create value through innovative and sustainable solutions while striving for excellence in everything we do. Clariant is committed to sustainable growth based on innovation, R&D excellence, and our core values of performance, people, planet, and partnership. As a company that values intellectual property as a key business asset, we are dedicated to protecting our innovations and maintaining our competitive edge in the global marketplace.

We are seeking a qualified IP Counsel (m/f/d) to join our global Patents team in Frankfurt, Germany. You will play a crucial role in creating value from intellectual property and advising clients up to Business Unit Management level on IP matters. This position offers the opportunity to directly impact Clariant's business success by protecting innovations and strengthening our competitive position in the market.

Responsibilities

• Support/represent Clariant before patent offices in written and oral hearings worldwide
• Ensure registration, enforcement, and defense of technical IP rights to protect research results
• Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and support legal opinions on infringement and validity matters
• Support patent litigation activities before courts
• Draft, negotiate, and review IP contracts including non-disclosure agreements, patent-license agreements, know-how transfers, and research collaborations
• Contribute to IP strategy development and implementation for Business Units
• Support strategic IP portfolio management to maximize value creation
• Ensure compliance in all IP-related matters across the organization
• Educate Clariant personnel on patent matters and foster IP awareness, particularly among R&D staff
• Process questions relating to inventors' law and establish regional communication networks through ambassador engagement

Requirements

• IP Attorney degree with university qualification ideally in chemistry
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in the IP field
• Deep knowledge of patent laws and procedures, demonstrated by passing qualifying examination
• Understanding of how IP activities impact business outcomes and how IP can be leveraged to generate value
• Knowledge of basic contract law with ability to draft and negotiate standard IP contracts
• Proficiency in English; additional languages are an advantage for global representation
• Ability to collaborate across functions, particularly with R&D, business units, and legal teams
• Experience with European Patent Office procedures and international patent systems
• Project management skills to handle multiple complex IP cases simultaneously

Our Offer

• Opportunity to shape Clariant's intellectual property landscape and contribute directly to business success
• Professional development in intellectual property law within a global specialty chemicals environment
• Access to cutting-edge innovations and technologies across diverse chemical applications
• Collaborative team culture that values legal expertise and technical knowledge
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements
• International exposure through global IP matters and cross-border collaborations
• Chance to protect innovations that contribute to a sustainable future

Rodrigo Wintersteller Talent Acquisition Partner EMEA Tel. +49 (0)69/305-80582 #LI-RW1

Clariant is a Swiss-based global specialty chemicals company, which is concentrated and developed in three business units: Care Chemicals, Catalysts and Adsorbents & Additives. Our purpose as a company is reflected in our tagline "Greater chemistry - between people and planet", which considers the principles of customer, innovation and people orientation, as well as a focus on creating solutions to foster sustainability in different industries by offering high-value and high-performance chemical specialties.

At Clariant, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to our success. We strive to cultivate a workplace where all employees feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Our diverse workforce allows us to tap into a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and capabilities that drive innovation. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for professional growth and advancement across all levels of the organization, based on objective criteria and regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, protected veteran status, age, disability, sexual orientation or other aspects of diversity in accordance with the relevant governing laws. By bringing together talented individuals with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, we gain the agility to meet the evolving needs of our global customers and communities. Join our team to help advance our mission of fostering a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive.

• Learn more about Clariant
• Read more about our commitment for people - download our Employment Standards Brochure