Tech Transfer Officer

The University of Saskatchewan's (USask) main campus is located in the vibrant city of Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. USask is one of the top research-intensive, medical doctoral universities in Canada, and is home to world-leading research in areas of global importance, such as water and food security and infectious diseases.

The Office of the Vice-President Research (OVPR) provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to the university’s research, scholarly, and artistic works. This is achieved by creating strategic partnerships, plans, and policies that together create a supportive research environment indicative of a world-class research-intensive university.

Innovation Mobilization and Partnerships unit supports high quality research and mobilizing the results of that research for external impact.

Primary Purpose: Innovation Mobilization and Partnerships (IMP), part of the Office of the VP Research (OVPR), works with inventors and industry to move USask discoveries out into the world. The Technology Transfer Officer works as part of IMP’s Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation team, to support the commercialization of USask technologies. The Tech Transfer Officer is responsible for prospecting research activities for invention disclosures; supporting and processing invention disclosures; assessing potential market and societal impact of inventions; evaluating potential for intellectual property protection; undertaking research to identify potential licensees/partners for emerging and existing innovations; and other related duties to support the university’s innovation enterprise.

Nature of Work: Reporting to Director, Innovation Mobilization and Partnerships, the Tech Transfer Officer works closely with and supports Tech Transfer Managers and collaborates with the Intellectual Property Specialist, Finance Coordinator, Legal Counsel and Admin Coordinators. The Tech Transfer Officer spends most of their time reviewing documents, undertaking analysis, evaluations and research, and preparing briefs. The Tech Transfer Officer also engages professionally and diplomatically with diverse researchers and administrators across campus and external stakeholders from industry and the broader community. The Tech Transfer Officer’s work involves high pressure, competing demands, multiple projects, and tight timelines, but being part of a nimble, invested, and entrepreneurial team makes the work enjoyable and engaging.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Serving as a first point-of-contact for researchers and external stakeholders regarding commercialization-related activities
• Prospecting research activities for invention disclosures, through monitoring activities, engaging with other staff in the OVPR and in colleges, schools and centres, and directly engaging with researchers
• Supporting and processing invention disclosures
• Assessing market and societal-impact of inventions
• Evaluating potential for intellectual property protection
• Undertaking research to identify potential licensees/partners for emerging and existing innovations
• Drafting briefs, plans and other documents
• Providing information on a variety of commercialization topics to researchers and other stakeholders (including one-on-one and in group settings)
• Supporting faculty and students in startup and enterprise creation activities
• Completing other related duties as assigned

Education: Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline (e.g., business, STEM); master’s degree an asset.

Licenses: N/A

Experience: At least three years of experience supporting business development activities, commercializing technology, and/or incubating and stewarding industry/academic partnerships. Research experience in industry, government or an academic environment would be an asset.

Skills: The successful candidate will have demonstrated skills in:

• Working effectively in a team-based environment
• Handling a diverse portfolio of responsibilities and competing demands in a high-pressure environment
• Building strong relationships among diverse constituencies (ideally researchers and industry partners)
• Solving problems and seizing opportunities
• Communicating effectively in writing and orally
• Visualizing practical applications of new technology and knowledge
• Handling confidential and sensitive information
• Proficiency with MS Office applications

Department: Innovation Mobilization and Partnerships
Status: Term 12 months with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $66,030.00 - 103,174.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 2/16/2024
Closing Date: 3/8/2024 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable