Technology Transfer at Tulane University moves cutting edge research into the broader community, educates external constituencies about the development and implications of the research and sees that the products of Tulane research are deployed to the broadest possible public benefit. Technology transfer, while viewed simply as a potential revenue source at some research institutions, has long been considered an important extension of Tulane University’s core missions of education, research and service.

Technology Transfer began in earnest at Tulane well before the formal establishment of an office dedicated to the function. Key researchers in the School of Medicine sought patent protection for their inventions beginning the early 1980s and worked proactively with industry to develop these inventions and bring them to market. The Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Development successfully moved the fruit of Tulane researchers into industrial collaborations aimed at bringing new technologies to market to deliver meaningful public benefit.

Today, the Office of Intellectual Property Management (OIPM) works with the recently established Tulane University Institute for Innovation to protect the intellectual property created by faculty and researchers across the university, including inventions from the School of Medicine, the School of Science and Engineering, the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the School of Law. Broad vision, a wealth of experience and institutional support at the highest levels ensure that Tulane will remain a leader in university technology transfer well into the future.

OIPM executes all aspects of Tulane’s intellectual property (IP) policy, including patent filing and management, agreement preparation, IP due diligence, government reporting and compliance and identifying IP prospects for disclosure from the Tulane community. In addition, OIPM provides IP education seminars to Tulane faculty and students. These functions support Tulane’s Institute for Innovation, which is responsible for technology assessment, business development, marketing, and license negotiation.

Junior and Senior Licensing Associate Job Duties:

The Office of Intellectual Property Management (OIPM) works with the recently established Tulane Innovation Institute to protect and advance the intellectual property created by faculty and researchers across the university. OIPM executes all aspects of Tulane’s intellectual property (IP) policy, including patent filing and management, agreement preparation, IP due diligence, government reporting and compliance, and identifying IP prospects for disclosure from the Tulane community. In addition, OIPM provides IP education seminars to Tulane faculty and students. These functions support Tulane’s Institute for Innovation, which is responsible for technology assessment, business development, marketing, and license negotiation.

The Senior Licensing Officer, reporting to the Executive Director of OIPM, is responsible for the evaluation and management of a portfolio of Tulane inventions and intellectual property and works closely with the Tulane University Innovation Institute (TUII) to support the innovation pipeline, including educating Tulane employees about intellectual property. The Senior Officer will evaluate inventions for investment and negotiate, monitor, and enforce various licensing and partnering agreements pertaining to Tulane’s intellectual property.

The Junior Licensing Officer, IP Licensing and Portfolio Management, reporting to the Executive Director of OIPM, is responsible for the evaluation and management of a portfolio of Tulane inventions and intellectual property and works closely with the Tulane University Innovation Institute to support the innovation pipeline, including educating Tulane employees about intellectual property. The Officer will evaluate inventions for investment and negotiate, monitor, and enforce various licensing and partnering agreements pertaining to Tulane’s intellectual property.

Junior and Senior Licensing Associate Qualifications

Senior Licensing Associate

Required Education and/or Experience

• A Ph.D. or JD and three years of academic technology transfer or similar experience in licensing or business development gained in industry

OR

• A Master’s Degree and four years of academic technology transfer or similar experience in licensing or business development gained in industry.
• Experience drafting and negotiating contracts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five plus years of experience in an academic, government, or similar business development licensing role.
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and closing complex license agreements
• Experience negotiating non-licensing contracts such as MTAs, NDAs, DUAs, and collaborative research agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and set work priorities with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to manage many projects and relationships simultaneously across a broad range of innovations and markets.
• Strong team-oriented focus.
• Ability to build rapport and trust with faculty, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Technology transfer experience managing the flow of research innovation, disclosures, patents, trademarks, copyrights and other aspects of technology commercialization.
• Education and/or work experience in health sciences and business/industry is desirable.

Junior Licensing Associate

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively with academic scientists as well as executives in the biomedical industries, knowledge of current developments in the biomedical business sector, and the desire to work as a team member.
• Ability to understand a range of science and technology within the computer, engineering, chemical, or biological science industries, with special emphasis on life science.
• Demonstrated familiarity with intellectual property licensing and technology commercialization in industry or academic settings.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Strong project management skills, with acute attention to detail
• Ability to organize and communicate complex information.

Required Education and/or Experience

• A Ph.D. or JD and one year of academic technology transfer or similar experience in licensing or business development gained in industry

OR

• A Master’s Degree and two years of academic technology transfer or similar experience in licensing or business development gained in industry.
• Experience drafting and negotiating contracts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three plus years of experience in an academic, government, or similar business development licensing role.
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and closing complex license agreements
• Experience negotiating non-licensing contracts such as MTAs, NDAs, DUAs, and collaborative research agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and set work priorities with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to manage many projects and relationships simultaneously across a broad range of innovations and markets.
• Strong team-oriented focus.
• Ability to build rapport and trust with faculty, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Technology transfer experience managing the flow of research innovation, disclosures, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other aspects of technology commercialization.
• Education and/or work experience in health sciences and business/industry is desirable.

Junior and Senior Licensing Associate Applicants

Tulane University has retained Gardner Innovation Search Partners to manage this search. Gardner Innovation Search Partners is the top technology transfer recruiter in the world, and is committed to presenting a diverse slate of candidates who possess the skills, expertise, and enthusiasm to thrive in this role.

Interested applicants should send their resume and any questions to:

Lisa Rooney, Recruiter
lisa@gardnerisp.com
(740) 251-7390

Gardner Innovation Search Partners is committed to diversity in both people and ideas. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.