The Senior Licensing Associate/Licensing Associate will work under the direction of the Director of Licensing for the KU Center for Technology Commercialization (KUCTC), which serves all KU campuses, including the KU Medical Center in Kansas City. The mission of the KUCTC is to manage discoveries and innovations made from research so that they may have greater impact, benefit the public, and promote economic development. The Senior Licensing Associate/Licensing Associate is generally responsible for sourcing, reviewing, and manage invention disclosures; maintaining relationships with faculty, assisting in protecting and marketing innovations; and negotiating contracts relating to commercialization efforts as well as other duties and responsibilities commensurate with a more seasoned level of experience.

• Organization: The University of Kansas
• Title: Senior Licensing Associate/Licensing Associate-Physical Science background preferred
• Salary range: $84,000-$115,000 commensurate with experience
• Work environment & Location: Hybrid-Must reside locally to either Kansas City or Lawrence. One day per week minimum in office, occasionally more will be required. Remote may be considered with on site at least 4 days/month (at employee’s expense and limited to certain states).
• Visa Sponsorship: Will be considered

Job Duties

Innovation Management:

• Establish and maintain relationships with researchers, educate KU faculty about intellectual property and technology transfer.
• Review, research and assess new discoveries and innovations for potential commercial value, patentability, marketability, and technical understanding.
• Advise researchers and make decisions on patent prosecution and copyright protection; assist in development of IP protection strategies and management of KU’s IP portfolio.
• Manage portfolio of IP assets and corresponding relationships with researchers; provide feedback and assist researchers in navigating the patent process; help researchers seek additional funding and resources to further develop of KU innovations and discoveries.

• Additional Responsibilities Senior Licensing Associate:
  • Coordinates and participates in faculty outreach efforts for KUCTC licensing team
  • Coordinates KUCTC’s process for evaluating KU innovations

Business Development:

• Prepare non-confidential summaries for marketing.
• Identify and engage companies and individuals in commercialization discussions.
• Coordinate with KUCTC marketing staff to post marketing or promotional materials on KUCTC website and through other communication channels.
• Assist KUCTC marketing staff in contacting and distribute marketing materials to targeted companies and individuals
• Represent KU at local, regional, and national partnering and business development events

License Technologies to Startups and Existing Companies:

• Develop terms and conditions for research collaboration and licensing opportunities.
• Negotiate licenses and other contracts with existing companies, startups, and other partners.

Operations & Compliance:

• Data entry and use of technology transfer data management system.
• Coordinate and assist other KUCTC staff with technology transfer tasks  
• Familiarity with Bayh-Dole Act and assists in ensuring compliance and reporting through US Government’s iEdison system.

Other:

• Participates in professional development and training opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Additional Responsibilities Senior Licensing Associate:
  • Mentor and advise junior members of the Licensing Team/manage KUCTC internship program
  • Represents KUCTC in seminars and other educational events at KU as well as in Kansas and the Kansas City region
  • Collaborates with college and departments to support a culture of innovation across KU’s campuses

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, physical science, engineering or related field or law degree with experience in patent law.
• One year of IP evaluation, technology development, and/or technology commercialization experience.

• Additional Required Qualifications Senior Licensing Associate:
  • 3-5 years of academic technology transfer, business development, commercialization experience

Competencies

• Strong communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a large and diverse range of tasks and technology types.
• Ability to foster and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, and other University stakeholders.
• Ability to understand and apply broad-based knowledge of the University’s innovation and research enterprise to support commercialization efforts and operations.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Pleasant personality, positive outlook, willingness to foster and maintain a positive team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrates initiative, diligence/preparedness, and independent judgment.
• Ability to deal with complex problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and implement solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education and/or experience equivalent to:

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD or equivalent) highly preferred. Law degree with experience in patent law acceptable.
• Experience in market research, technical analysis, technical writing, business development, and licensing.
• Six years of academic technology transfer, business development, commercialization experience.

• Additional Preferred Qualifications Senior Licensing Associate:
  • Experience working in or with startup companies a plus
  • Experience in market research, technical analysis, technical writing, business development, and licensing.

About Gardner Innovation Search Partners

Gardner Innovation Search PartnersLet us help you grow a phenomenal team.We recruit professionals in: Intellectual Property Licensing + Technology Transfer + Open Innovation + Innovation Management + Economic Engagement + Entrepreneurship.

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