Licensing Associate – Stony Brook University

The mission of the Office of Intellectual Property Partners is to bridge Stony Brook innovation with public benefit through partnership with SBU inventors and the business community. By fostering the successful commercialization of cutting edge discoveries into new products and services, they:

  • Enhance well-being
  • Return economic benefit to the university community
  • Strengthen the long-term vitality of their innovation ecosystem

Licensing Associate Job Duties:

Under supervision of a Sr. Licensing Officer, the Licensing Associate will be responsible for managing a portfolio of technologies, including identifying, evaluating, marketing and licensing inventions and software developed by SUNY and Research Foundation faculty and staff. The incumbent is responsible for such activities being conducted under the optimal financial and legal conditions and in compliance with the SUNY patent policy and sponsor regulations. Ideally, the successful incumbent must have a proven record of successfully negotiating intellectual property license agreements, other complex agreements (sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements or other complex agreements) and demonstrated experience drafting and reviewing contracts.

Specific activities include, but are not limited to, evaluating the commercial potential of inventions, preparing non-confidential material, developing and implementing marketing strategies for each technology. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for drafting and negotiating terms of commercialization agreements and other agreements, including but not limited to options, licenses, material transfer agreements and confidentiality agreements. The incumbent may supervise interns and other junior members of the licensing team.  The incumbent may occasionally need to function as an alliance manager on ad-hoc basis for collaborations associated with technologies in their portfolio. The incumbent will be responsible for activities associated with ensuring post agreement compliance. 

Essential Duties:

  • Business development type activity (engaging with potential licensees, developing and reviewing licenses, options and term sheets, drafting and negotiating license agreements)
  • Overseeing and reviewing new technology evaluation (technology evaluation and characterization) activity of Jr. Licensing team member(s) and forming decisions regarding how to proceed with the technology
  • Marketing and gathering KOL (Key Opinion Leader) /industry feedback on a portfolio of technologies and overseeing Jr. Licensing team members on same.
  • Faculty support and education with respect to inventions, intellectual property and office policy and procedure.
  • Post-Agreement management activities.
  • Overseeing marketing sheet development.
  • Technology portfolio support, including, but not limited to, assisting with patent prosecution and assisting with patent budget planning.
  • Supporting Office of Sponsored Programs and Risk Management Functions.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Target Salary: $90,000-$135,000

Here is the Licensing Associate Position Specification with further details.

Licensing Associate Qualifications

The successful incumbent will have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, exercising strong organizational and time-management skills with an exceptional attention to detail. Essential for this role is the adeptness to work independently as well as part of a team with a collaborative approach to problem solving.  The successful incumbent will be a self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher).
  • Positive attitude, resourcefulness, and demonstrated good judgment.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong organizational abilities.
  • Ability to work independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in engineering, mathematics, biomedical, physics, chemistry or a related field.
  • Five (5) or more years of experience working in a university Technology Transfer Office or in a business development capacity such as technical marketing, licensing, and contract negotiation. Advanced degree in science or technology preferred. Broad knowledge of legal, marketing, and administrative aspects of technology transfer process. Contract negotiation, research, computer, and communication skills required.
  • Proven record of negotiating intellectual property license agreements.
  • Strong record of successfully negotiating complex agreements (sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, or other complex agreements).
  • Demonstrated experience drafting and reviewing contracts (confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, option agreements, license agreements, or other agreements).
  • Patent Agent. MBA, or JD.

Licensing Associate Applicants

Stony Brook University has exclusively 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.