World Intellectual Property Organization: Call for Applications to the PCT Fellowship Program for Graduate Students

January 26, 2023

The PCT Translation Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organizes a Fellowship Program for assistant terminologists, translators, and translation technologists, with the aim of providing training and on-the-job experience at an international organization. WIPO is now accepting applications for the 2023 edition of the Program.

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(Photo: WIPO/Berrod)

There are three types of Fellowship position:

  • Terminology fellows are trained in the creation of terminology entries for the PCT Termbase and subsequent publication in WIPO Pearl.
  • Translation fellows are trained in the translation of patent abstracts and patent examination documents.
  • Translation technology fellows are trained in the use and support of translation and terminology management systems and machine translation systems.

Staff of the PCT Translation Division at WIPO provide training and guidance to participants throughout the period of their fellowship in Geneva (please note: it is not possible to do the Fellowship remotely). Fellowships may vary in length but usually are not shorter than three months. Fellows are given a monthly stipend of 5,000 Swiss francs and are provided with medical cover. Additionally WIPO will assist with travel and visa arrangements.

Requirements

For the Terminology Fellowship

Candidates should be currently pursuing or be a recent graduate of an advanced degree program (Master's, Doctorate or an equivalent level degree) in terminology, translation, a related linguistic discipline, or in a technical field provided they have a strong linguistic ability. Prior experience in applied terminology would be considered an advantage but is not a requirement, and applicants are expected to work in their native language.

In 2023, applications are invited from native speakers of Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, who also have excellent knowledge of English.

For the Translation Fellowship

Candidates should be currently pursuing or be a recent graduate of an advanced degree program (Master's, Doctorate or an equivalent level degree) in translation, terminology, a related linguistic discipline, or in a technical field provided they have a strong linguistic ability. Prior experience in technical translation would be considered an advantage but is not a requirement, and applicants are expected to translate into their native language.

In 2023, applications are requested from candidates working in the following language combinations only:

  • Japanese to English

For the Translation Technology Fellowship

Candidates should be currently pursuing or be a recent graduate of an advanced degree program (Master's, Doctorate or an equivalent level degree) in translation technology, translation or a related linguistic discipline including a translation technology component, or in a technical field such as computational linguistics or information technology. Prior experience in translation technology would be considered an advantage but is not a requirement, and applicants are expected to work in English or French.

How to apply

Persons interested in applying for one of these Fellowship positions should submit their application by accessing the relevant Fellowship vacancy announcement:

Apply

Note: Candidates may apply to more than one type of Fellowship position, or to all three, if they meet the requirements. In such cases, a separate application must be submitted for each type of Fellowship position applied for.

Following initial screening, shortlisted candidates will be requested to take a terminology test, a translation test, and/or an aptitude test.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 (CET) February 26, 2023.

Information sessions

Persons interested in applying for one of these Fellowship positions are invited to attend one of the information sessions that will be given by members of WIPO's PCT Translation Division. In order to attend one of these sessions (the content of which will be identical), you will need to register. The dates and times are as follows:

Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 17:00 CET.

Register

Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 10:00 CET.

Register