Description
The University of Nevada, Reno is recruiting for a Senior Licensing Associate, Enterprise & Commercialization. This position is responsible for supporting the commercialization of university innovations. The position manages assigned technologies and contributes to the evaluation, protection, marketing, and licensing of intellectual property arising from university research. The Senior Licensing Associate performs technical, commercial, and competitive assessments of inventions; contributes to commercialization planning; and engages industry partners, investors, and entrepreneurs to help translate research discoveries into real-world impact.
The Senior Licensing Associate works closely with faculty inventors, external advisors, and service providers to support technology development, structure licensing transactions, and assist with startup formation where appropriate.
The role requires strong judgment in intellectual property strategy, market opportunity evaluation, and negotiation of complex agreements. The position also contributes to technology marketing initiatives, and ecosystem engagement efforts that strengthen the university’s innovation pipeline. This position reports to Assistant Vice President, Enterprise & Innovation (AVPEI)
Duties/Responsibilities
Establish strong rapport with faculty and other research staff; work with team members to provide effective and efficient services to faculty while maximizing IP and commercialization opportunities for the University;
Lead engagement efforts with faculty to identify promising technologies and facilitate new sponsored research and licensing opportunities;
Evaluate invention disclosures for patentability and commercialization potential;
Maximize the commercial potential of technologies by developing a commercialization plan including conducting market research, authoring and publishing marketing materials, and identifying potential licensees;
Assist in structuring license deals and drafting and negotiating term sheets and license agreements;
Manage assigned intellectual property portfolio including managing IP protection for inventions in various stages of development; work with patent counsel to coordinate patent filings and prosecution matters.
Requirements
Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, computer science, physical sciences, or related technical field and five (5) years of related professional experience; OR a Master’s Degree in engineering, computer science, physical sciences, or a closely related technical field and three (3) years of related professional experience. Related Experience: Experience in university technology transfer, intellectual property management, research commercialization, industry R&D, technical business development or a related field.
Schedule/Travel Requirements
Occasional local, regional, and national travel
Variable hours
Preferred Qualifications
PhD, in engineering, physical sciences or life/biological sciences.
Ability to assess the potential of a nascent technology for commercial applications including startup opportunities and strategic partnerships.
Demonstrated ability to develop marketing materials and to implement marketing strategies suitable for a given technology.
Demonstrated proficiency in identifying potential industry partners and negotiating and closing licenses.
Exceptional customer service mindset and approach that engenders confidence and trust among faculty and industry partners.
Ability to function as a member of a diverse team including sponsored projects office, legal counsel, and economic development entities.
Excellent communication skills and ability to prioritize and manage a diverse technology/IP portfolio.
Registered Technology Transfer Professional
Patent agent registration with USPTO
