Technology Transfer Associate, Science & Engineering

Description

Technology Transfer Associate, Science & Engineering

Innovate Calgary  
CALGARY, ALBERTA  
 
About Innovate Calgary 
Innovate Calgary is the technology transfer and business incubator center for the University of Calgary. As part of the Office of the Vice-President (Research) portfolio, we work with University of Calgary researchers, students, and other members to bridge the gap between discovery and create economic and societal impact. 
We provide a unique environment for employees, combining a flexible working environment with significant exposure to the breadth of the University of Calgary¿s growing innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

About the Role 
The Technology Transfer Associate (TTA) is an early career stage position within Innovate Calgary¿s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) focused on supporting the portfolio of research with potential commercial and societal impacts in the Physical and Engineering Sciences at the University of Calgary. The position is meant to provide the junior TTO staff member with the skills unique to the technology transfer office. In particular, the selected candidate will develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, learn to evaluate the IP and market potential of technologies, prepare marketing materials, maintain the IP database and support senior TTO staff in their commercialization efforts. The TTA will participate in commercial licensing transactions, research partnerships, and establishing high-growth start-up opportunities based on University of Calgary research and innovations.
The TTA will report to the Associate Director, Science & Engineering, Technology Transfer. The TTA will review new invention disclosures, learn to and help develop commercialization strategies, evaluate the need for and help develop IP protection strategies, and negotiate contracts with industry, including license agreements. They will also maintain relationships with existing licensees and ensure that the contractual obligations are being met. The TTA will support their colleagues in their interaction with patent counsel, industry partners, government funding agencies, and industry professionals. There are often cross interactions with the New Ventures group within Innovate Calgary in support of startup company formation.

Key Accountabilities:

• Support Innovate Calgary¿s mandate of excellence in technology commercialization.
• Perform assessments of patentability, market potential, and overall commercial potential.
• Meet with investigators/researchers as needed to evaluate and define strategy for the commercialization of inventions.
• Help develop marketing strategies and conduct market analysis for technologies in the portfolio.
• Identify and initiate contact with potential licensees.
• Maintain and efficiently utilize all aspects of a technology and intellectual property project management database for each technology in the portfolio.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Personal Characteristics:

• Exceptional analytical abilities with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in an evolving environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written skills, specifically in communicating key metrics and data sets.
• Proactive business relationship management skills with a commitment to the completion of projects.
• Keen attitude and willingness to explore outside of the Senior Innovation Manager¿s area of expertise.
• Ability to work with and organize large volumes of data and manage concurrent projects.
• Outstanding time management skills and high attention to detail.

Required Skills:

This position requires excellent communication, decision-making and organizational skills; market-based analytic judgement; the ability to prioritize and monitor multiple competing deadlines; and excellent interpersonal skills to work with a diverse constituency to higher education, government, and business personnel.

Qualifications:

• At least a BSc degree in the physical sciences: physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science.
• Communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) and client-relationship management skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Interest in working with University spin-out companies is considered an asset.
• Aptitude for financial and project management.
• Marketing and presentation skills.

How to Apply 

Your resume and cover letter should be submitted to [email protected]. Please be sure to address the role of Technology Transfer Associate, Science & Engineering. 
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  

Application Closing Date:   End of Day, August 2, 2024 

Innovate Calgary is an equal opportunity organization committed to building and fostering a fair and inclusive community that values diversity and encourages respect for all. We welcome applicants across any race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, Indigenous status, or any other legally protected factors. We recognize the value of identifying and removing barriers for any applicants interested in participating in our programs.