"Business Development Manager - Computational Social Science Lab - Penn Engineering"

Job Description Summary

The Computational Social Science Lab (CSSLab) at the University of Pennsylvania is a pioneering interdisciplinary research lab dedicated to applying computational methods and large-scale data to some of the most pressing challenges facing society. Founded and led by Duncan Watts, Stevens University Professor and Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor, the CSSLab is producing research and building tools with the potential to reshape how the public, policymakers, and institutions understand and engage with information, each other, and their communities.

The Business Development Manager will play a central role in bringing the CSSLab's groundbreaking research into the world, translating academic innovation into real-world impact through strategic commercialization and partnership development. This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge computational social science, artificial intelligence, and public benefit, helping to ensure that transformative tools reach the organizations, institutions, and communities that need them most.

The CSSLab's commercialization portfolio includes projects that directly address urgent societal needs:
The Media Bias Detector uses AI, machine learning, human-in-the-loop raters to track and classify the top news articles from major news publishers in almost real time, examining tone, partisan lean, topic selection, and fact usage at an unprecedented level of granularity. The tool offers a near real-time, high-stakes environment to observe and analyze how media outlets present and potentially skew the same news event, revealing editorial choices and publisher patterns, and providing a foundation for informed democratic participation.
The Deliberation Lab is an open-science platform that enables researchers to conduct large-scale experiments in small-group deliberation, the kind of structured conversation through which people learn from one another, build mutual respect, and solve collective problems. Kickstarted by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, this platform can run more experimental trials in a single afternoon than traditional conversation studies achieve in a year, systematically mapping what makes deliberation succeed or fail across different populations, topics, and demographic compositions. In a world of growing polarization and eroding civic discourse, the Deliberation Lab offers a science-backed path toward more productive dialogue and stronger democratic engagement.
NOMAD (Network for Open Mobility Analysis and Data) is an infrastructure project designed to democratize access to large-scale GPS mobility data and standardize the analytical tools necessary for human mobility science and epidemiology. By dismantling the barriers that currently limit researchers' and policymakers' ability to access and then use mobility data effectively, NOMAD advances equity, enabling research by smaller and diverse institutions globally, and supporting applications in historically data-poor regions. From pandemic response planning to urban design and public health, NOMAD has the potential to transform how societies understand the movement of people and use that intelligence to answer impactful research questions.

For Penn and its alumni network, the commercialization of these projects represents an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate that world-class academic research can drive meaningful change beyond the university's walls. Each partnership, licensing agreement, and market engagement this role develops will extend Penn's reputation as a leader not just in research, but in translating knowledge into tools that serve the public good. This position offers the chance to be at the forefront of that mission, connecting Penn's most innovative research with the partners, organizations, and communities positioned to amplify its impact.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

The Business Development Manager (BDM) is responsible for driving the commercialization and market adoption of the CSSLab research efforts. The BDM develops and implements strategic business development plans in alignment with broader CSSLab and University goals, identifying and cultivating relationships with current and prospective partners across industry, policy, and research sectors. The BDM leads go-to-market strategy development and execution, manages the development of pitch materials, proposals, and RFP responses, and oversees sponsorship and outreach activities in collaboration with relevant university communications teams. The BDM works closely with CSSLab researchers, Penn's Center for Innovation, and the Office of General Counsel and other departments to develop sustainable partnerships and revenue streams through licensing agreements, sponsored research contracts, and data access partnerships. Additional responsibilities include maintaining a pipeline and tracking system for monitoring opportunities and timelines, managing stakeholder engagement, and synthesizing intelligence on emerging market trends to position the lab's tools competitively.

• Develop, implement, and regularly review strategic business development plans; maintain a rolling pipeline and tracking system to monitor opportunities, forecast targets, and measure progress across all lab commercialization initiatives; and adjust strategies in response to new opportunities or shifts in the external environment.
• Identify and cultivate partnership opportunities; work with relevant partners and internal stakeholders to negotiate and complete licensing agreements, sponsored research contracts, and data access partnerships that generate sustainable revenue streams; and manage the compilation, development, and maintenance of relevant database contacts and mailing lists to support outreach efforts.
• Lead go-to-market strategy development and execution for the lab's commercialization efforts, including building and maintaining target lists, conducting market and competitive research to identify high-value use cases and target segments, and developing pitch materials, proposals, and RFP responses for prospective partners.
• Lead efforts to identify relationships and build awareness of Lab research with relevant organizations and external groups; represent the lab at conferences, events, and meetings; and serve as a market-facing ambassador to mobilize commercialization efforts.
• Manage internal stakeholder development, coordination, and communication across university offices to align priorities and advance business development efforts; and participate in research and partnership meetings to help identify and pursue new business development opportunities with targets and existing relationships.

The Manager Research Project C will work with a greater degree of independence and autonomy in carrying out responsibilities.

Qualifications

Manager Research Project B: Bachelor's degree and 5 -7 years of experience in business development, technology commercialization, partnerships, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic plans and managing complex, multi-stakeholder relationships. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing pitch materials, proposals, and partnership agreements. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. Experience working within academic, research, or mission-driven organizations is a plus. Familiarity with licensing agreements, sponsored research contracts, or data access partnerships preferred. Knowledge of the media, policy, or technology sectors is desirable.

Manager Research Project C: Master's degree, MBA preferred, and 5 - 7 years of experience in business development, technology commercialization, partnerships, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. In addition to the qualifications listed above for the Manager Research Project B, must be self-directed with the ability to perform all duties with a high degree of independence and autonomy.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range
$66,000.00 - $105,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.