2026 Summer Internship – Intellectual Property Analyst – Cambridge

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.  

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. 

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results. 

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.  

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands. 

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life. 

Why considering joining us? 

During your weeks as an intern at PA, you’ll learn some of what it takes to be a top-notch consultant. You’ll be coached and guided by experts and have opportunities to broaden your experience on a challenging project. Whatever you work on, you’ll be part of the team and free to build your networks, both here at PA and far beyond.  

• Be part of an internationally renowned intellectual property team at the heart of helping clients tackle tough IP challenges in a dynamic global environment.  

• We work with major technology organisations and major law firms supporting intellectual property aspects from analysis of patent landscapes through to expert witness support.   

• You will collaborate with expert consultants, benefit from supportive mentoring, and gain skills through hands-on learning and peer support. 

What you can expect  

Joining us as an intern is the next step in starting your career. Whether you’re coming from a specialist background or from an unrelated subject, we want you to be bold, stay curious and dive into the opportunities we have to offer.  

• You will get exposure to real-world intellectual property challenges and solutions. 

• You will receive mentorship from experienced professionals in the field. 

• You will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful and challenging work in a collaborative environment. 

Assessment process  

First Stage Assessments: 

• Application form 

• Online Assessments  

• Shortlisting and/or Technical Assessments 

• Final Stage Assessments: 

• Assessment Centre with Technical Assessments 

• Final Stage Interviews  

The Offer    

• You will work to ensure PA remains at the forefront of IP knowledge and analysis in a dynamic environment with a large number of intellectual property assets. 

• Opportunity to work supports the work of the intellectual property team, examples of projects include training or fine-tuning AI/ML to analyse and classify patents, automating the analysis of large patent sets based on different criteria, or modelling trends in patent filing and identification of emergency technology areas to gain insightful understanding of innovation. 

• You will be exposed to a variety of experiences which will build an outstanding career  

• We work flexibly at PA, but your work base will be our Global Innovation Centre near Cambridge. 

• This role will start in June 2026 – for 8 weeks.  Exact dates will be confirmed at offer stage.   

• Full time 

A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact. 

This role is open to undergraduates in their penultimate year of university.  If you intend to return to university after the internship to complete an MSc, you will also be eligible for this position.  

• Qualification: Undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, or related fields is preferred but we welcome applications from all degree disciplines with interest in intellectual property.    

• Technology passion - you will have a passion for technology, an interest in intellectual property, and interest in big data processing and use of AI/ML.  An interest in telecom/network technologies is a plus 

• Growth-oriented and curious — open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world. Our experts will support your curiosity along the way. 

• Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.  

• Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.  

• Analytical and adaptable — demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach.  

• Professional and reliable — show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.  

• Modelling and data science experience – familiarity with AI/ML training and fine-tuning, Python, and/or Excel is a plus 

• Understanding data - experience sourcing, processing and gaining insights from data would be beneficial for the role   

We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application

Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance.

All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard however, some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK.

We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.

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Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work. 

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self. 

Find out more about Life at PA here. 

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. If you join us, full time in a permanent role, check out some of our extensive benefits: 

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days 
• Generous company pension scheme 
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives 
• Annual performance-based bonus 
• PA share ownership 
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn) 

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups. 

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [email protected]