Hybrid Assistant Director, Business Development and Licensing presso UChicago
UChicago · Chicago, IL, United States Of America · Hybrid
- Ufficio in Chicago, IL
Department
SING Polsky Business Development & Licensing
About the Department
supports faculty, students, staff, and alumni, as well as other entrepreneurs and community-based small business owners, in navigating the complex process of bringing new products, services, and research to market. The Polsky Center’s programming includes a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures; and deep tech accelerators focused on quantum, data science and AI, and clean tech. In addition, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago’s technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and discoveries that can be licensed to industry partners and investors.
Job Summary
As part of their portfolio, the Assistant Director will be responsible for managing intellectual property, facilitating industry partnerships, and supporting the commercialization of oncology-related innovations from the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center. Key responsibilities include evaluating cancer-related invention disclosures, managing patenting and licensing strategies, negotiating agreements with industry partners, and guiding faculty in translating research discoveries into commercial opportunities. The role requires close collaboration with researchers, clinicians, and external stakeholders to advance the development and deployment of novel cancer diagnostics, therapeutics, and technologies.
This position develops and implements program related to identification, investigation, and negotiation of licensing opportunities for permission to use intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents or technology. Solves complex problems related to the transfer and use of intellectual property. Provides expertise to faculty to transform ideas and discoveries into patents, licenses, products, services, and ventures.
Responsibilities
- Manages a diverse portfolio of technologies and works with a team of internal and external specialists to protect and license inventions for existing companies and startups. Uses transactional expertise and understanding of legal issues to draft, negotiate, execute, and manage intellectual property licenses and other agreements.
- Uses depth and breadth of knowledge to build strong relationships with inventors, legal counsel, prospective and actual licensees, and colleagues that promote the mission and business of the department.
- Drafts, negotiates, executes, and manages intellectual property licenses and other agreements, such as licenses, options, inter-institutional agreements, material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, and negotiation of intellectual property terms in other agreements, as needed.
- Screens inventions for commercialization potential; evaluates and decides which inventions and software to pursue.
- In partnership with the Intellectual Property team, provides insights into the commercial aspects of inventions during the intellectual property protection process.
- In partnership with marketing colleagues, assists in the development and execution of marketing outreach for intellectual property assets.
- In partnership with the IP Compliance and Finance teams, ensures that all agreements are properly recorded in the intellectual property database of record and supports licensee relationship management and compliance activities.
- Collaborates with faculty members, researchers, colleagues, and other individuals across campus along with industry partners to achieve shared transactional objectives.
- Establishes and cultivates strong relationships with inventors, legal counsel, prospective and current licensees, University Research Administration, the Office of Corporate Engagement, and Polsky Center colleagues to promote the University’s mission and its Polsky Center to catalyze ideas into impact.
- Develops intellectual portfolio patenting, licensing, and commercialization activities. Interprets patent issues and reviews patent prosecution for selected inventions.
- May design, develop, and maintain databases in order to track legal related information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline focused on oncology, cancer biology, molecular biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field.
Experience:
- Background in oncology-focused technology transfer and commercialization, ideally through internships, fellowships, or professional roles in academic, clinical, or industry settings.
- Demonstrated expertise in negotiating and drafting intellectual property agreements, with a strong preference for experience related to oncology therapeutics, diagnostics, or medical technologies.
- Independently perform most business development and licensing activities.
Preferred Competencies
- Build rapport and credibility with faculty members, researchers, and their labs.
- Knowledge of intellectual property.
- Excellent analytical and computational skills.
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications.
- Attention to detail with clear understanding of how to prioritize workload appropriately.
- Work well under pressure and manage multi-task projects.
- Work independently with a high degree of initiative.
- Work effectively in a hybrid environment and within a team.
- Maintain confidentiality.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
In addition to the base pay posted above, this position may be eligible for A team metrics-based bonus
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
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