Assistant Director, Technology Licensing

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Licensing for Penn's Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM), this position leads the identification, evaluation, protection, marketing, and licensing of PSOM technologies that have commercial potential. The individual proactively develops and strengthens relationships with PSOM investigators and industry partners, facilitates research collaborations with companies, and negotiates option, license, and related agreements for intellectual property and tangible research materials with both established and start up entities. The role also supports post agreement relationship management with company partners and serves as a key, highly collaborative member of the PSOM licensing team, providing excellent service to investigators and external partners while advancing PCI's mission to translate Penn Medicine innovations into real world impact.

Job Responsibilities

• Proactively develop, lead, and sustain strong working relationships with faculty and researchers in targeted PSOM departments. Meet regularly with investigators to discuss ongoing research and identify technologies with commercial potential, serving as the primary PCI point of contact for assigned investigators and/or departments.
• Evaluate assigned technology disclosures to determine their commercial potential and to develop and recommend well-articulated, diligently justified "go/no-go" decisions regarding whether to pursue patent protection. Present and support these recommendations, along with proposed IP and commercialization strategies, at weekly Patent Investment Meetings (PIM).
• Identify and actively engage with potential industry partners and investors; perform due diligence on prospective commercial partners and conduct technology valuation to inform deal strategy and structure. Initiate and lead the negotiation of licensing and option agreements, and assist with sponsored research and other research-related agreements with commercial entities, as required.
• Develop commercialization strategies for assigned technologies and technology portfolios, including assessment of market need, commercial potential, competitive landscape, and appropriate commercialization pathways. Perform market analysis to identify commercial opportunities, including identification of and outreach to targeted commercial partners and investors.
• Participate in outreach activities to engage and educate PSOM faculty, researchers, and trainees about technology commercialization pathways and PCI resources.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a life science field, or equivalent doctoral degree, plus either 2-5 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Understanding of research environment, preferably in higher education
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills