Manager of Technology Development, Computing, and Intelligent Systems (Innovation and Commercialization Specialist)
Indiana University

Job Info

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Department

INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALIZATI (UA-ICO-IUBLA)

Department Information

Indiana University is one of the top research universities in the world, with $732 million in sponsored research annually. Growing transformative research and creativity, innovation, industry engagement, and commercialization are key goals in IU 2030: The Indiana University Strategic Plan. Innovation commercialization is one of the many ways that Indiana University's research enterprise benefits society. The IU Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) works closely with faculty, industry, and the entrepreneurial community in Indiana to take IU innovations to market. Supporting ICO to achieve these goals and objectives, the successful candidate will support IU intellectual property and technology transfer activities, including faculty outreach and development to increase the intellectual property pipeline and acceleration of the commercialization of IU intellectual property. The incumbent will work across ICO teams and IU Research Offices to support a continuity of workflow.

The Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) is responsible for fostering connections between IU inventors and external collaborators and facilitating the transfer of university discoveries to the market. ICO works to establish partnerships between research and industry, provide connections to resources, commercialization guidance, and business engagement.

The technology development team is responsible for outreach to faculty and inventors from across all university campuses. The technology development team works closing with inventors to disclose new inventions, provide feedback to inventors on gaps required for commercial interest or viable patenting, works closely with inventors to draft provisional applications, works closely with inventors to develop market assessments, draft technology marketing materials, draft commercialization plans, guide inventor responses in patent preparation and prosecution, and provide domain expertise in specific areas of scientific research. The technology development team manages targeted IP development grant programs and outreach activities related to increasing faculty engagement and technology disclosure. The technology development team works to provide support to the operations team, industry partnerships team, and directors.

Job Summary

The Manager of Technology Development, Computing, and Intelligent Systems is a critical role within the Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO).

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Supports technology transfer processes, including but not limited to increasing invention disclosures, provisional patent drafting, patenting, faculty outreach, and technology market evaluation.
• Drafts provisional patents, evaluates technology commercialization potential, industry technology markets, and early-stage technologies, drafts technology marketing materials, and has a firm understanding of intellectual property processes and timelines.
• Fosters connections between IU inventors and external collaborators and facilitating the transfer of university discoveries to the market.
• Manages day to day activities and processes related to faculty engagement for technology development, patenting, and research commercialization strategy development in the area of Computer Science.
• Engages, fosters, and develops strategic collaborations in Engineering and Software.
• Serves diverse stakeholders in developing and commercializing transformational science.
• Collaborates across the university with stakeholders, including academic departments, research centers, and institutes, to identify areas to create effective learning opportunities for faculty around technology development.
• Facilitates a clear understanding of intellectual property among the university faculty on how inventions and technologies are protected and commercialized.
• Supports educational programs and initiatives for faculty, research scientists, and graduate students on topics related to technology commercialization and innovation planning.
• Represents the University at state and national level meetings concerning technology transfer, commercialization, and intellectual property.
• Works with IU shared services partners to meet ICO needs, including but not limited to finance, human resources, and communications and marketing.

General Responsibilities

• Negotiates and drafts technology license agreements, royalty agreements and other commercial agreements; provides guidance to technical staff in developing strategies as to which industries are interested in university technology.
• Develops and implements the technology licensing program to support faculty and/or staff (choosing legal entity, deciding whether to lease employees or hire their own employees, deciding where to locate start-up companies, sharing strategies for raising early stage funding, etc.) and help commercialize technology in its early stages; works with innovation & commercialization and licensing staff to ensure close integration between efforts and to support faculty and staff in transitioning their start-up companies.
• Acts as thought-leader and contributes to the development of the university's technology licensing strategy; advises senior leaders and stakeholders on likely impacts of various policy alternatives.
• In collaboration with technology and academic areas, develops and presents training programs to faculty and/or staff to educate them on technology licensing law and requirements.
• Represents the university and faculty/staff in discussions with industry partners interested in licensing university technology; may be responsible for representing the university on various internal and/or external committees related to technology licensing.
• Provides guidance and support to less experienced licensing staff.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

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

Preferred

• Ph.D. or terminal degree (preferably with background in computer science, information technology, bioinformatics, mathematics, data science, or a related scientific degree)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 3 years of experience or equivalent in managing intellectual property development and facilitating technology commercialization in a relevant field

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• 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
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
• Knowledge of the unique requirements of venture capitalists desired

Preferred

• Proven record in stewarding intellectual property with industry, non-profits, and universities
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills
• Ability to work with a variety of different internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, university administrators, and patent law firms
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively on teams
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with faculty; encouraging faculty to disclose IU-generated intellectual property and to participate in aspects of the commercialization process
• Experience carrying out technology and marketing due diligence
• Commercialization and marketing experience with Computing and Intelligent Systems
• Knowledge of federal and state laws regarding intellectual property and technology transfer
• Knowledge of academic scientific research and innovation
• Understanding of the patenting process, timelines, strategies, and costs
• Ability to work on multiple tasks at the same time and under time constraints
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and tact while maintaining confidentiality
• Strong data management skills
• Experience with technology transfers in an academic setting
• Experience in information technology or software development in the industry
• Experience as an entrepreneur in a technology-based startup
• Understanding of the stage gate or agile process development

Working Conditions / Demands

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.

The person in this position will be expected to work across both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana and Indianapolis, Indiana

Benefits Overview

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.

Job Classification

Career Level: Expert

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Innovation & Commercialization

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Posting Disclaimer

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

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