UIRF POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

The University of Iowa Research Foundation (UIRF) welcomes applications for a full-time, two-year Postdoctoral Research Scholar position.  This position is ideal for a recent PhD graduate in a STEM field who is interested in exploring career opportunities outside of a traditional academic faculty position and who would like to obtain hands-on experience relevant for careers in university administration, corporate business development and intellectual property management, and other positions.

About UIRF:  UIRF is the University of Iowa’s technology transfer organization.  The eleven-member staff assists University of Iowa faculty and staff researchers in transferring their innovative discoveries from the lab to the global marketplace.  The UIRF team works to ensure that the world-class discoveries created by our researchers bring about a worldwide impact.  The office manages a wide variety of innovations from research programs throughout the university.  UIRF takes an innovative approach to university technology transfer, and this postdoctoral position is just one of several new initiatives by which the office is re-inventing technology transfer at the university.  Staff at UIRF hold leadership positions at the state and national level and are committed to bringing best practices to the organization. (for more on UIRF: uirf.research.uiowa.edu/ , and for more on university technology transfer: autm.net/ )

Position description: This position is part of the UIRF licensing staff which are the backbone of our team-based approach to university technology transfer.  The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will work directly with our Licensing Associates and Associate Directors to identify, evaluate, protect, market, and license UI-invented technologies.  Specific responsibilities include:

Technology scouting:  Establish relationships with faculty, staff, postdoc, and student researchers in specific UI departments.  Identify ongoing research programs that might yield new innovations.  Assist UI researchers in completing invention disclosures.

Innovation assessment: Market research on the commercial potential of invention disclosures and initial evaluation of intellectual property protection strategies for such disclosures.

Marketing: Create marketing campaign materials, identify potential corporate partners, work with third-party marketing services, and facilitate interactions between UI researchers and corporate partners.

Licensing and agreements: Assist Licensing Associates in drafting confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, and term sheets, as well as Associate Directors in negotiating and drafting license agreements.  Participate as a member of the UIRF licensing team in licensing negotiations.

Assist other UI administrative offices: Work with other UI offices on intellectual property terms as they affect sponsored research agreements, conflict of interest compliance, and new venture creation.

Career networking:  Connect with technology transfer professionals in the state of Iowa, the region, and nationwide to identify career opportunities at the completion of the two-year postdoctoral position.

By the end of the two-year position, a Postdoctoral Research Scholar will have had hands-on experience with all aspects of university technology transfer, will have had exposure to similar positions within academia and industry, and will be able to point to specific training opportunities and completed projects for future job searches.

About the University of Iowa and Iowa City:  A member of AAU and the Big Ten conference, the University of Iowa is home to one of the largest and most acclaimed medical centers in the country as well as the famous Iowa Writers’ Workshop (uiowa.edu/homepage/about-university-iowa ).  Iowa City is consistently voted one of the best places to live in the country, from Outside Magazine to the American Institute for Economic Research (www.thinkiowacity.com/ )

NOTE to APPLICANT: 

Please include the following in your application:

• A letter of application (no more than two pages) that explains your interest in the position and how your past experiences would contribute to your success in the position.


• A current resume or curriculum vitae.


• A sample of your writing (no more than 10 pages), such as published article, meeting abstract(s), excerpt from your dissertation.


• The names and contact information for three references.

Completion of a PhD in a STEM field within the last twelve months; or, anticipated completion of the PhD within the next six months; or currently serving as a postdoctoral scholar/fellow

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment


• Excellent written and oral communication skills


• Exceptional interpersonal skills


• Must be eligible to work with technology under Export Control guidelines

• Familiarity with research being conducted at the University of Iowa

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.