Licensing Director, Physical Sciences (University Staff Professional 1)

This position is with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at the University of Connecticut, specifically within Technology Commercialization Services (TCS), the university’s Technology Transfer Office. The Licensing Director, Physical Sciences will manage the evaluation, patenting, marketing, and licensing of the physical sciences and engineering portfolio of university inventions, while providing leadership and strategic oversight to the licensing team.

Responsibilities

• Familiarize faculty, staff, and students with technology transfer processes, intellectual property, and the value of commercialization.
• Evaluate invention disclosures in the physical sciences for patentability and market potential.
• Develop and execute invention-specific marketing plans, patent strategies, and commercialization strategies to attract potential licensees.
• License technologies to industry through active marketing and negotiate complex licensing deals.
• Meet with faculty and staff to aid in invention evaluations and track progress of continued research related to inventions.
• Participate in team-based review meetings for decisions on patenting and commercialization of inventions; present inventions for review as needed.
• Work with the internal patent team and assist with patent prosecution for inventions.
• Negotiate options, licenses, letters of intent, term sheets, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, and inter-institutional agreements.
• Participate in discussions and provide advice to support decisions pertaining to the formation of university startup companies.
• Establish strong relationships with industry executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers in Connecticut and beyond.
• Help develop and support programs to aid in the creation of startup companies by faculty and students.
• Engage in building academic-industry relationships.
• Work with other members of the OVPR to achieve the office’s overall goals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in the physical sciences, engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least three years of direct experience in technology licensing, evidenced by negotiated contracts with major engineering, physical science companies, and startup companies.
• Demonstrated experience with the industrial relevance of early-stage inventions.
• Experience with intellectual property protection and patenting, especially software-related technologies and data licensing.
• Experience setting priorities and working within targeted time frames.
• Demonstrated experience leading licensing, research, and commercial agreement negotiations with industry, academic, and governmental partners.
• U.S. Citizenship due to access to Controlled Classified Information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in the physical sciences or engineering with expertise in electrical or computer science engineering.
• Five or more years of experience in technology licensing, evidenced by negotiated contracts with major engineering, physical science companies, and startup companies.
• Combination of business and academic/R&D experience in engineering or physical sciences.
• Experience with the formation of equity-based ventures and intellectual property issues.
• Experience working in an academic environment and ability to interact well with faculty.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 12-month, permanent position. The role is primarily in-person at the Farmington (UConn Health) campus with travel to the Storrs campus as needed; hybrid work arrangements may be considered for highly qualified candidates.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn.
• Comprehensive benefits package (details available under UConn Health Benefits, Benefits & Leaves, and Engagement & Learning sections).