Technology Transfer Fellow

Summary:

This position is a Specialist Fixed-Term position, internally recognized as a Physical Sciences Technology Transfer Fellow in the MSU Technologies office within the MSU Innovation Center. This position carries an employment term of two years. MSU Technologies (MSUT) Intellectual Property Officers are Technology Managers who provide technology evaluations, high quality licensing strategy, outreach to industry and others interested in commercializing University and jointly owned technology, negotiation of business terms, license agreement development, and execution. Tech Transfer Fellows support Technology Managers and MSUT Coordinators, have a background on the technology’s developmental and marketing needs, and will develop and maintain productive relationships with faculty inventors and corporate representatives to build a pipeline of invention disclosures and licenses. This position works under the supervision of the Associate Director and assigned Technology Managers to manage technologies with applications in physical sciences, including engineering and related disciplines. This position will need to be available to handle technologies across all similar applications as needs arise within MSUT.

Duties and Responsibilities:

45% - Faculty Engagement (outreach):

• Develop and manage strong relationships with faculty inventors and prospective inventors.
• Work with faculty and graduate researchers to identify potentially protectable and marketable intellectual property. This could include identifying candidate projects by screening grant awards and scientific publications.
• Promote the transfer of information, knowledge, and expertise from the University to the general public.
• Is committed to leadership and excellence in the delivery of technical and educational information and knowledge to off campus clienteles.
• Consult with, collaborate with, train, and support faculty, students and other clientele in the development of service/outreach programs.
• Develop independent projects/programs or is involved in projects directed by others. 
• Disseminate to students/professionals/clientele groups relevant research findings and technical information for practical application. 
• Conduct needs assessment studies and applied research with the ability to work out an appropriate solution for the people and groups involved. 
• May be a liaison with, respond to requests from, and/or develop cooperative programs with other universities, agencies, and organizations as well as the general public. 

45% - Technology Management:

Work under the direction of the Technology Manager to license technologies including evaluate and screen disclosures; identify and qualify licensees; assist with marketing strategies and plans; draft business terms for license agreements; manage agreements; interact with MSU Office of the General Counsel and outside patent attorneys on legal and intellectual property matters. Assist Technology Manager to manage portfolio of technologies including some complex technologies and issues. With the Technology Manager and Associate Director, build knowledge base related to the physical science technologies most frequently under MSUT responsibility.

10% - Agreement Management: 

• Negotiate Material Transfer Agreements, Confidential Disclosure Agreements and Data Use Agreements under the supervision of the MTA/CDA Coordinator and Associate General Counsel.
• Support the administration of agreements using established processes and the office database.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree: 

Masters -Engineering or Physical Sciences

Minimum Requirements: 

• Candidates must have the capacity to comply with federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.
• The successful candidate will have a master’s level education or above, and a minimum of one to three years’ educational experience in an engineering or physical sciences discipline in combination with experience in a university technology transfer office.

Desired Qualifications: 

Demonstration of the following attributes is preferred:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, self-starter, works well with others, pays close attention to detail, ability to prioritize, and follows through on tasks.
• The ability to manage/coordinate multiple tasks and to work successfully with academic scholars, entrepreneurs, industry executives and staff.
• Experience in or with university technology transfer, preferably including experience triaging incoming invention disclosures is a plus.
• Knowledge of intellectual property is highly desirable.
• Interest in an alternative career in technology transfer is desired.

Required Application Materials: 

Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter with their application. 

To view information about the MSU Technologies office and the MSU Innovation Center, please review the website: https://innovationcenter.msu.edu/tech-transfer-commercialization/