Marjolein Velthoen (32) chose a career as a patent attorney after completing a PhD in catalysis. It allows her to study inventions and use her affinity for languages. ‘From the outset, you have to build up all your knowledge of the invention in language.’

First a master’s degree in chemistry, then a PhD, and then another three years studying intellectual property law. Only 10 to 25 people enter the profession of patent attorney each year. Being a patent attorney is a protected profession, and you have to have at least a master’s degree in a science subject to start the course. The training itself is very much language-based. In addition to working in a patent office, you have to study, read and write a lot.