Institutional Support (Technology Transfer Officer)

Job Description

 

Employer: University of Hawaii – VP of Research and Innovation

Job Title: Institutional Support (Technology Transfer Officer)

Location: Manoa Campus in Honolulu, Hawaii

Hours: Full-Time

Start Date: Immediate

Term: Temporary – Not to Exceed: June 30, 2017

Compensation: Commensurate with education and work experience.

Employer Overview:

The UH system is composed of a flagship research university, two baccalaureate campuses, and seven community colleges, conferring associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. UH also serves Hawai‘i through university and education centers and research facilities across six Hawaiian Islands. UH carries out its mission through more than 9,000 faculty and staff; serves over 60,000 students; currently secures $400 – $500 million per year in extramural funding with aggressive growth plans; and contributes over $3 billion to the State of Hawai‘i’s economy.

The Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) aspires to be a leading Asia-Pacific technology commercialization office, promoting innovation at UH and transferring its research discoveries to industry for the benefit of humanity. OIC’s mission is to help UH researchers, staff and students identify, protect, and commercialize innovative intellectual property; to foster innovation through startup accelerators, seed funding, and other entrepreneurship programs; and to improve UH researchers’ access tostrategic grants. In addition, OIC is committed to developing and fostering long-term public-private partnerships through sponsored research, corporate alliances, and other opportunities for collaboration.

Position Overview:

*To begin March 2017; annually renewable every July 1st contingent upon performance and availability of funds.*

OTTED is responsible for the management of intellectual property assets developed at the University of Hawai‘i and the transfer of new technology to broader public use through our commercial partners. We assist faculty, staff and student researchers to identify and protect their discoveries and inventions to foster commercial investment that will turn UH research into new products and services to improve public health and welfare. We seek closer relationships with entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to expand opportunities for the development and utilization of new technologies created through research and scholarship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Determine if disclosures meet U.S. Patent Laws to qualify for a patent and if federal funding has been involved in the development of an invention.
  • Analyze disclosures to ensure they have been accurately completed by the inventor(s).
  • Conduct technology assessments of inventions disclosed; formulate and implement marketing and licensing strategies.
  • Ascertain the status of published results or anticipated publications on the invention and evaluate the commercial value of the invention.
  • Perform market analyses to determine the value of patents.
  • Identify potential licensees or corporations that might be interested in licensing the University’s existing unlicensed or newly patented technologies and determine the appropriate license.
  • Solicit and evaluate invention disclosures from faculty and others.
  • Review existing grants and contracts for new technologies that might be emerging from research.
  • Provide information and assistance to faculty regarding invention disclosures and protection of intellectual property.
  • Manage the patent process including oversight of external patent counsel; oversee the filing and management of patent applications.
  • Work with patent counsel to identify, secure, and maintain intellectual property rights to UH technologies and help manage the University’s technology portfolio.
  • Maintain standardized database and other records to inventory and track the disposition of UH patents, copyrights, etc. and keep abreast of important deadlines.
  • Report invention disclosures and licensing activities to federal research sponsors.
  • Market a portfolio of unlicensed inventions to industry.
  • Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

  • Possession of a baccalaureate degree in physical or biological sciences or related and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for marketing, legal drafting, negotiations; or equivalent education/training or experience.
  • Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of marketing intangible assets, of legal forms used in technology transfer and licensing, and business negotiation methods and skills as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
  • Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with technology transfer.
  • Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
  • For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
  • Any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Ability to understand new technologies at the conceptual level, to envision potential commercial uses of such technologies, and to appreciate any competitive advantages such technologies may enjoy against existing technologies.
  • Ability to see opportunities/problems from different perspectives and to develop novel approaches to effectively address such opportunities/problems.
  • Ability to make effective sales contacts and to negotiate licensing and other agreements.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Registered patent agent.
  • Ph.D. degree in computer science, or in a physical or biological science.
  • Experience in marketing new intellectual property and negotiating technology licensing agreements.
  • Knowledge of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, University of Hawaii, State of Hawaii and Federal Governmental policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of investment/license analysis from an economic perspective.
  • Ability to analyze, understand and draft legal agreements. Possess 3-5 years of legal experience with technology transfer or commercialization.
To Apply: 

This is an apply2workatuh recruitment and requires an apply2workatuh user account to upload the required documents. Please go to: https://apply2workatuh.hawaii.edu/myapp/?viewpos::0081914T to submit your interest in applying for this position. Application requirements include: 1) Cover letter to Selection Committee indicating interest in the position and how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications of the position, 2) UH Form 64B (enter credentials including education, experience, etc.) 3) resume, 4) names and contact information including e-mail addresses of at least 3 professional references and 5) one copy of educational transcripts (with any references to social security number, date of birth, place of birth and parent’s names redacted).

Inquiries

Leigh-Ann Miyasato; 808-956-9749; lkm2@hawaii.edu

The University of Hawaiʻi is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawaii may be viewed at: http://ope.ed.gov/security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10A of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.