Innovation & Commercial Specialist

INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALIZATI (UA-ICO-IUINA)

The Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) is responsible for fostering connections between IU inventors and external collaborators and facilitating the transfer of university discoveries to the market. ICO works to establish partnerships between research and industry, provide connections to resources, commercialization guidance, and business engagement.

• Negotiates and drafts technology license agreements, royalty agreements and other commercial agreements.
• Provides guidance to technical staff in developing strategies as to which industries are interested in university technology.
• Develops and implements the technology licensing program to support faculty and/or staff (choosing legal entity, deciding whether to lease employees or hire their own employees, deciding where to locate start-up companies, sharing strategies for raising early stage funding, etc.).
• Helps commercialize technology in its early stages; works with innovation and commercialization and licensing staff to ensure close integration between efforts and to support faculty and staff in transitioning their start-up companies.
• Acts as thought-leader and contributes to the development of the university's technology licensing strategy.
• Advises senior leaders and stakeholders on likely impacts of various policy alternatives. 
• Collaborates with technology and academic areas to develop and present training programs to faculty and/or staff, to educate them on technology licensing law and requirements.
• Represents the university and faculty/staff in discussions with industry partners interested in licensing university technology.
• May be responsible for representing the university on various internal and/or external committees related to technology licensing.
• Provides guidance and support to less experienced licensing staff.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education. 

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in life sciences, engineering, biomedical science, or related technical field.)

Preferred

• Ph.D. with a strong background in biochemistry, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemistry, or a related life science degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 7 years in corporation, and/or university experience in negotiating, drafting, and managing of technology licensing agreements.

Preferred

• Experience as an entrepreneur in a technology-based startup.
• Industry experience in pharmaceuticals or medical devices.
• Technology transfer experience in an academic setting.
• Commercialization experience with therapeutics and/or devices.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Preferred

• Registered patent agent upon date of hire.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents.
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills.
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills.
• Knowledge of the unique requirements of venture capitalists.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience in successful commercialization of university-based discoveries.
• Demonstrated experience in developing technology transfer approaches and processes in a university setting. 
• A deep understanding of the stage gate process.
• A deep understanding of FDA regulatory pathways for therapeutics and devices.
• A deep understanding of academic scientific research and innovation.
• A deep understanding of the patenting process, timelines, strategies, and costs.

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indiana University Indianapolis. 

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure .

Career Level: Expert

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Innovation & Commercialization

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [email protected] or by visiting IUPD.

Request Support
Telephone: 812-856-1234