This position is for a senior professional to join the Director and other senior managers in the management of a comprehensive intellectual property/innovation and entrepreneurship program for the campus. Responsible for evaluating a portfolio of physical science inventions, including technologies intersecting with engineering and life science, in various stages of development, tangible research properties, and copyright materials developed at UCSD for their technical utility, commercial potential, and available protection under federal and state statutes. Using personal contacts, professional experience and market intelligence, target potential licensees, negotiate the terms and conditions for the transaction, and draft the necessary legal document to complete the licensing of UCSD intellectual property rights for commercial development to benefit the public.
Act as the primary liaison to the faculty members in physical science research to assist faculty and research staff in crystallizing their inventive ideas, making disclosure of the inventions, tangible research materials, and copyrightable materials to the university. Extensive interactions required with campus researchers, potential licensees, patent and contract attorneys, industrial scientists, senior business development executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Upon supervisor's request, represent the OIC and the campus at professional meetings, technology trade conferences, and investment and economic development meetings and events. Originate, direct and/or participate in educational and service programs provided by the Office of Innovation & Commercialization (OIC) to the campus community related to intellectual property, innovation and entrepreneurship issues and awareness.
The Office of Innovation & Commercialization at University of California, San Diego, is committed to actively promoting our Principles of Community and continually advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within all levels of our organization. In line with the goals of UC San Diego’s Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence supporting a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and fostering a positive and welcome climate where all are valued, we strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented communities to apply.
Qualifications
Knowledge of engineering and physical science areas as evidenced by an advanced post graduate degree with hands-on scientific research and technical experience, or equivalent work experience. Skills in technical writing.
Three or more years’ experience in technology licensing as evidenced by negotiated contracts with major pharmaceutical, software, materials, biotech, agricultural or other physical sciences companies and startup companies.
Hands-on experience or additional degrees in business (especially in marketing or market valuation) and/or Law (business, contract, and intellectual property) or combination. Comfortable in the drafting and reading of legal language in various contracts and other documents.
State-of-the-art knowledge in subject area and broad application of principles, theories and concepts such as laws, regulations, and practices pertaining to the protection and management of intellectual property, university technology transfer, and scientific and / or technical skills in area of expertise.
Ability to market technology to industrial partners.
Strong knowledge of contracts and grants. As evidenced by three or more years negotiating or supporting negotiation of such.
Recognized expert in specific aspect of intellectual property / technology transfer.
Ability to generate pro forma estimates of equity holdings / evaluations preferred.
Good negotiation skills to obtain market-bearing license terms and conditions while maintaining/building the university's long-term relationship with industry.
Skills in market research and projection and valuation of technologies. Comfortable with using databases and on-line resources to assess up-to-date market and company information.
Good management skills to handle a full and growing portfolio of diverse UCSD innovations in physical sciences & engineering. The portfolio will contain several hundred technologies and multi-tasking skills and ability to work autonomously and as part of a team are essential.
Ability to use modern office equipment including personal computer, work station and associated writing, spreadsheet and database programs.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to interact with UCSD researchers and potential licensees from the industry.
Ability to visualize potential practical utilities of new discoveries and results of basic scientific investigations. Skills in bridging basic research and applied uses of its results.
At the University of California San Diego, we prefer the path less traveled. And it has led us to remarkable new ways of seeing and making a difference in the world.
