Sr. Technology Transfer Associate
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Job no: 500016
College / VP Area: Research Office
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Information Technology, Research & Laboratory, Full Time
Pay Grade: 32E
Context of the Job:
The University of Delaware (UD) has embarked on transformative vision for innovation impact through research innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization. Central to realizing this vision is the commercialization arm of the University, The Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP). The mission of the OEIP is to facilitate an accessible gateway and conduit for the University to connect UD faculty, innovators and entrepreneurs with prospective external partners and collaborators, as well as to effectively facilitate the transfer of University discoveries to the market.
OEIP, as the umbrella organization for multiple related units, is implementing a staffing plan that will bring all roles in alignment with the strategic model to realize a high performing culture to advance innovation. This model includes expansion of technology transfer and commercialization activities, continued complementary work with related units, and expansion of dedicated teams, including: industry relations; research support; business intelligence; internal and external legal counsel, and business development. This expanded team will be empowered through design, policy, and resources, to ensure greater innovation outcomes across the institution and to the benefit of society.
The Technology Transfer Office, a business unit within OEIP, is seeking dynamic, experienced technology transfer professionals to be key participants in realizing a high-performing culture to advance innovation. Technology licensing associates will be embedded in IP generating units, as well as work as part of a broader team, including industry relations, business intelligence, internal and external legal counsel, and business development to realize greater innovation outcomes.
Effective technology transfer services include invention disclosure, patenting and other protections, licensing and start-up assistance and is a critical towards achieving the mission of OEIP. Technology transfer associates will be embedded in IP generating units, as well as work as part of a broader team, including industry relations, business intelligence, internal and external legal counsel, and business development. This team will be empowered through design, policy, and resources, to ensure greater innovation outcomes across the institution and to the benefit of society.
Technology Transfer Associates with domain expertise the following areas are being sought:
1. Engineering
2. Arts and Sciences
3. Health Science
4. Agriculture
5. Earth, Ocean, and Environment
Current University of Delaware technology transfer statistics:
Invention Disclosures per year: ~44
Licenses per year: ~7
Annual Research Expenditures: $184.3M in FY2021
The University of Delaware is a Land, Sea, and Space Grant institution. In FY 2021, sponsored research expenditures totaled more than $184 million with significant sponsoring organizations including DOE, DOD, NSF, DHHS and the Department of Commerce. With more than 80 research centers and institutes at UD, it is home to extensive knowledge-based assets for social, environmental, and economic benefit. The assets encompass faculty and staff, an extensive R&D capacity and capability, incubation and experimental facilities and a portfolio of intellectual property.
Major Responsibilities:
- Represent Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative (IE) goals and values with faculty and unit leaders.
- Work closely with colleagues to operationalize and execute on refined goals of IE strategy and advance key objectives (see IE strategic pillar here).
- Effectively manage a portfolio of intellectual property and commercialization strategies, including:
- Encourage, plan, and support invention disclosures by inventing faculty and employees.
- Liaise with inventor/investigator through all phases of assessment and commercialization pathway.
- Engage business intelligence resources to vet early disclosures, creating understanding of potential markets and uses, and to generally assess prior art.
- Engage legal counsel to develop high quality, provisional patent applications
- Work with technology transfer and legal personnel to develop IP strategy, on a per invention basis.
- Engage (and grow) UD Subject Matter Expert Network to obtain key information regarding specific commercialization opportunities.
- Engage internal resources to access Proof of Concept opportunities to advance product development, based on commercialization insights.
- Engage business development and entrepreneurship resources to identify commercialization partners and execute license opportunities to existing firms and startups.
- Develop and execute option and license agreements in support of commercialization goals.
- Negotiate, develop, and execute additional business agreements that return value to the University, including: IIA's, NDA's, MTA's, licensing agreements, option agreements, milestone payments, etc.
Become familiar with innovation and activities in various units.
- With industry relations team members, encourage and advance collaborations with internal and external stakeholders to enhance innovation process and outcomes.
- Support and execute components of sustainable partnerships that include licenses, collaborative research agreements, research contracts, consultation agreements, etc.
- Cultivate high trust relationships with faculty, units, and students.
- Participate in university-wide and unit specific communication and education regarding UD technology commercialization.
- Participate in data collection related to unit specific and institutional metrics related to technology commercialization.
- Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering related field and six years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate degree preferred.
- Proven record of technology transfer activities either in private or public sector organization
- Effective organizational, interpersonal, analytical, verbal and written communications skills.
- Deep familiarity and experience with U.S. patent and trademark laws (including procurement process) and customary agreements used in technology transfer such as licensing agreements, NDA’s, IIA’s, option agreements.
- Experience with development, preparation, negotiation, review, and execution of a wide ranges of business contracts.
- Experience in facilitating partnerships with private sector entities and interacting with innovators/entrepreneurs.
- Knowledge and appreciation of business concepts and requirements as applicable to a large academic, research institution, as well as individual inventions.
- Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures and backgrounds.
- Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.
Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
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