Specialist - Outreach-Fixed Term

Working/Functional Title

Life Sciences Technology Transfer Fellow

Position Summary

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 life 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. The MSU Technologies office offers a hybrid working environment requiring the successful candidate to work onsite in East Lansing a minimum of three days per week after the first three-months in this position. The annual salary for this position is $58,000 - $66,500 commensurate with experience. This position is fixed-term, carrying an employment term of two years.  

This position offers the opportunity for: 

Faculty Engagement

• Partner with faculty and graduate researchers to identify potentially protectable and marketable intellectual property (IP).
• Promote the transfer of information, knowledge, and expertise from the University to the general public.
• Delivery of technical and educational information and knowledge to off campus clienteles.
• Collaboration, training, and support of faculty, students and other clientele in the development of service/outreach programs.
• Develop independent projects/programs; involvement 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 identify appropriate solutions for the stakeholders 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.

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.
• Build knowledge base related to the life science technologies under MSUT responsibility.

Agreement Management 

• Negotiate Material Transfer Agreements, Confidential Disclosure Agreements and Data Use Agreements under the supervision of the MTA/CDA Coordinators 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 -Life Sciences

Desired Degree

Doctorate -Life Sciences

Minimum Requirements

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

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

Please submit:

• resume,
• letter of interest and
• three professional references with your application. 

Special Instructions

To learn about the mission of MSU Technologies and the MSU Innovation Center, please view our website: https://innovationcenter.msu.edu/tech-transfer-commercialization/.

Review of Applications Begins On

02/19/2025

Website

https://innovationcenter.msu.edu/tech-transfer-commercialization/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.