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Position Summary:
The incumbent will be responsible for cultivating, developing, and establishing partnerships between McGill researchers (Faculty members) in natural sciences and engineering and industry partners to increase industry sponsored research agreements and technology transfer activity. This primarily includes broadening relationships between McGill researchers and industry partners as well as generating new partnerships that may lead to meaningful collaborations.
The incumbent will develop and nurture industry partnerships through targeted outreach, extensive external networking, and responding to inbound industry requests. They will meet individually and regularly with McGill researchers primarily in the Faculties of Engineering, Science, and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to coherently understand their research expertise and interests in working with industry partners. They will be responsible for organizing and hosting meetings between McGill researchers and industry partners to catalyze research synergies. Drawing on their deep network of industry contacts, the incumbent will also work alongside the Technology Transfer Team to identify opportunities and develop collaborations and partnerships with industry partners to license McGill’s Intellectual Property and technologies.
The incumbent should possess knowledge of the academic research environment, university policies and practices governing the conduct of research with industry partners, and knowledge about various agreements such as sponsored research and non-disclosure agreements, contracts, and Intellectual Property. The incumbent must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, outstanding presentation and communication skills, and ability to adapt to a highly dynamic, multi-team environment. They will possess demonstrable experience in business development with a technical background in natural sciences and engineering and eagerness to identify and grow new research and innovation ventures.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Collaboratively work with members of the Industry Liaison Team to plan, develop, and roll out strategic plans and targeted activities that will generate industry collaborations and partnerships.
- Actively engage with McGill researchers to develop a coherent understanding of the research expertise at McGill, and apply this understanding to match industry partners with mutual priorities, research interests, and/or technology transfer opportunities.
- Manage complex stakeholder responsibilities and relationships necessary for developing interdisciplinary research projects for provincial, national, and international funding opportunities involving multiple stakeholders, institutions, and industry partners.
- Organize and host meetings (virtual and in-person meetings) between McGill researchers, industry partners, and institutions to validate opportunities of mutual interest and bring industry participants onboard as research partners, actively facilitating cross-departmental links, interdisciplinary research, and collaborative partnerships across McGill’s Faculties.
- Serve as a primary contact for a high volume of inbound industry inquiries regarding research partnerships and technology transfer opportunities. Assess and validate each opportunity through due diligence, and facilitate industry introductions to relevant McGill researchers.
- Maintain a diversified network of industry partners and organizations that exist in different innovation ecosystems. Proactively target sectors (CleanTech as a priority sector) and industry partners for which there is potential for industry sponsored research and technology transfer.
- Serve as a primary contact and advisor for McGill researchers who have a keen interest in developing research partnerships and technology transfer opportunities with industry partners.
- Contribute to a unified approach to research and innovation at McGill by ensuring close collaborations between the teams comprising the Office of Innovation and Partnerships, the McGill Centre for Innovation in Storage and Conversion of Energy, Strategic Initiatives, University Advancement, and the Associate Deans (Research + Innovation) in the Faculties of Engineering, Science, and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
- Cultivate profound awareness of government funded leveraging programs that require industry partners, and persuasively convey these opportunities to industry partners.
- Represent the Industry Liaison Team and McGill Centre for Innovation in Storage and Conversion of Energy at internal and external meetings, events, conferences, workshops, and symposia to promote McGill’s mission and expand McGill’s network of industry partners.
Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities
A Bachelor’s degree in a field related to natural sciences and engineering (such as chemistry, physics, environment, biology, etc.). Five (5) years of related experience in business development, technology transfer, or R&D in a private or public organization, with experience related to managing research agreements, contracts, and/or intellectual property. Experience in researching and analyzing industry trends to assess and exploit joint ventures. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English. Ability to comprehend technical discussions related to research, and to make connections with McGill researchers based on industry partner’s interests. Experience in designing, validating, and rolling out stakeholder engagement strategies. Ability to convey to industry partners the aspirations of McGill researchers while considering the industry partner’s interests, confidentiality requirements, and governing policies at McGill. Strong time-management, problem-solving, and self-directed learning skills. Manage relationships with creativity, discretion, passion, enthusiasm, and tact diplomacy. Team player who thrives in a hybrid work environment, while able to independently work. Intermediate to advanced computer skills, and comfortable using multiple types of software. Actively and empathetically supports team members to achieve collective goals.
This position is co-funded by the McGill Centre for Innovation in Storage and Conversion of Energy (McISCE), and Axelys. McISCE is a newly established centre with a vision of training students and developing and transferring sustainable practices and technologies to society for meeting net-zero targets by 2050. Axelys is a non-profit organization whose mission is accelerating innovation stemming from public research. The incumbent will be expected to attend and participate in meetings, workshops, and events organized by McISCE and Axelys (entirely in French).
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree 5 Years Related Experience /
Annual Salary:
(MPEX Grade 07) $82,150.00 - $102,690.00 - $123,230.00
Hours per Week:
33.75 (Full time)
Supervisor:
Director Innov & Partnerships
Position End Date (If applicable):
2025-03-31
Deadline to Apply:
2023-03-09
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected] .