INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALIZATI (UA-ICO-IUBLA)

The core purpose of the Vice President for Research Office (VPRO) is to empower the Indiana University community to create knowledge and advance discoveries that can benefit Hoosiers and have global societal impact. IU's cutting-edge research, sponsored by federal and state agencies, and by corporations and foundations, contributes to the medical, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the state. By transforming IU research into products, services and partnerships, we help Indiana's economy grow.

The Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO), a part of the VPRO, is committed to providing timely, solution-focused service to faculty, students and staff to translate their innovation to impactful products and services for consumers and support economic development. ICO works closely with faculty, industry and the entrepreneurial community in Indiana to take IU innovations to market by supporting IP management, marketing and licensing and providing startup support when needed.

The preferred area of focus for this Commercialization Manager position is in software and IT related technology commercialization

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Effectively manages a portfolio of invention disclosure from IU investigators through patenting, developing, and licensing.
• Drafts, negotiates, and reviews Commercialization and Intellectual property (IP) related agreements.
• Identifies new opportunities (through meetings), evaluates commercial value, and develops and implements commercialization strategies.

General Responsibilities

• Solicits, evaluates, and manages invention/technology disclosures; interprets research results, helps guide experimental protocol, participates in and utilizes internal procedures to justify action plan; maintains communication and rapport with faculty, and document progress in database as per procedures.
• Identifies potential licensees and market technologies; develops marketing strategies to implement, build, and maintain a network of potential collaborative partners/licensees and facilitate their relationships with faculty; drafts and circulates non-confidential summaries; secures external partners and funding to perform prototype development; executes Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs) to exchange further information with interested parties (CDA signatory authority per IURTC policy); may be responsible for drafting, completing, overseeing, and reviewing the structuring and negotiation of successful licenses of intellectual property rights, completion of option agreements, and successful development of joint projects, ventures, and/or startup companies.
• Secures intellectual property protection for technologies; researches and identifies appropriate law firms with relevant content expertise, generates filing and claims strategies, responds to and develops prosecution strategies with outside counsel, and manages patent prosecution with internal Patent Counsel and outside counsel; works with Intellectual Property and Compliance Leaders to ensure compliance with state and federal laws (Bayh-Dole Act, etc.) and other regulations and policies applicable to technology transfer.
• Drafts, negotiates, and reviews commercialization and Intellectual Property (IP)-related agreements; creates term sheets, negotiates financial and contract terms, recognizing which terms require supervisory/leadership overview; oversees execution process and collaborates with licensing staff to monitor and manage all post-license compliance.
• Establishes and maintains a network of working relationships with IU research faculty (such as Innovate Indiana Fund, Spin Up, and other areas like Research Administration, Research Compliance, Solution Center, etc.), established and startup companies, and external law firms; cultivates all relationships to grow future collaboration opportunities; may work with IU communications in preparation of new press releases, blog posts, etc.
• May provide guidance and support to less experienced colleagues, including managing student interns and/or law externs in the evaluation, handling, commercialization disposition of inventions.
• Develops initiatives, attends seminars, and makes independent presentations to educate IU faculty and researchers about technology commercialization procedures and coach them on strategies; interacts with stakeholders for university technology commercialization (Research Administration, Purchasing, CTSI, etc.) and advises such offices on IP clauses in their agreements; participates and advises on relevant university and/or industry committees; actively participates in Conflict of Interest committee as a non-voting member; advise on project development teams; be active on nationwide professional development organization(s) committee.
• Assists and supports inventors with the university's business creation program (SpinUp); manages the companies in assigned portfolio and be able to explain the program to interested inventors; provides independent guidance with supervisory oversight as needed on small business development to faculty looking to start their own company; coaches and supports faculty proposals for internal and external grant opportunities.
• Stays up to date and current in technology commercialization and related fields by attending and participating in local, regional, and/or national seminars, meetings, and events; maintains significant involvement with one local, regional, or national group; develops market-area expertise in a relevant technology area (patent landscape, market players, typical deal terms, regulatory pathways, etc.); develops expertise in a subset of IP law (derivative works of copyright, infringement, obviousness, written description, patentable subject matter, inventorship, etc.).

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in life sciences, engineering, biomedical science, or related technical field)

Preferred

• Master's and/or PhD in life sciences, chemistry, medical, engineering, business administration, or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 5 years of relevant experience in academia or industry

Preferred

• Experience in drafting and negotiating Commercialization and IP related agreements

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Preferred

• Certified Licensing Professional, Patent Agent and/or related additional continuing education

SKILLS

Required

• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Experience in a regulated environment
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
• Familiarity with IP protection methods, contract law, and government laws and regulations related to technology commercialization (Conflict of Interest, Bayh-Dole, Export Control)
• Demonstrates ability to interact effectively with academic faculty, administrators, and/or members of industry
• Ability to access technology that may be subject to export control requirements therefore incumbent must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Bloomington, Indiana

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Career Level: Advanced

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Research Administration

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be differences in the working conditions as advertised in our standard job postings (e.g., the ability to travel from one campus to another, etc.). If you are invited for an interview, please discuss your questions or concerns regarding the working conditions at that time.

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

New employees will be provided with information regarding Indiana University's COVID-19 vaccine policy, which includes the opportunity to request an exemption. To learn more, view our COVID-19 vaccine information page.

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

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