Technology Manager

• Work closely with other Techlink staff to manage assigned technology transfer opportunities and develop increasing independence in licensing and partnership development.
• Achieve technology transfer successes for the sponsoring organizations, particularly DOW and VA, focusing primarily on facilitating technology transfer partnerships involving patent license agreements and cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs).
• Evaluate DOW and/or VA, intellectual property (IP) to identify technologies with industry partnership potential through a regular and systematic review of newly issued patents, published patent applications, and other invention-related information and assets. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of specific DOW, VA, or MSU intellectual portfolio(s) as assigned.
• Produce business case-focused, written materials around identified opportunities to support the facilitation of industry partnerships from reviewing invention-related information and through conducting interviews with inventors.
• Identify high-quality, prospective industry partners on identified opportunities through market research and other tactics.
• Engage prospects with identified opportunities through direct outreach via email, phone, and other means.
• Support prospect evaluation of partnership opportunities, including mediating discussions with inventors and facilitation of supporting agreements as needed to enable the transfer of materials, prototypes, or other information/assets.
• Provide professional customer service and facilitation of license agreements, CRADAs, and other technology transfer related agreements. Support and advise prospects toward the development of license applications and other required agreement documentation in line with federal technology transfer regulations, legal requirements, and sponsor expectations.
• Assist, as requested, in other ways to help TechLink Achieve its mission such as supporting training and education of federal technology transfer personnel., * Travel regularly to visit DOW laboratories and/or VA Medical Centers and to attend conferences, tradeshows, etc as required or needed in support of maintaining active technology opportunities and partnership pipelines.

1. Master’s or other advanced degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, physics, or other relevant science or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. At least one year technology transfer, R&D, product development, software development, business development, technology marketing, technology sales, or related industry experience.
3. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines and maintain current reporting and communication status.
4. Demonstrated broad understanding of technology across multiple disciplines.
5. Experience working with multiple stakeholders to achieve alignment and desired outcomes, including the ability to initiate and close licensing and research collaboration opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. PhD or other advanced degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, physics, or other relevant science or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. Demonstrated experience in technology transfer including evaluation of inventions for commercialization potential, marketing of licensing opportunities to small businesses and entrepreneurs, negotiation of license terms, and successful completion of license agreements.
3. Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) certification.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of intellectual property, e.g., US patent law, copyright, trademark, Bayh-Dole, and related federal laws pertaining to intellectual property.
5. Experience developing and delivering high quality and compelling presentations to various audiences.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Deliver high quality and professional level service to federal sponsors, industry partners, and other TechLink customers.
• General knowledge of IP law, patent prosecution, license agreements, and other technology transfer agreements.
• Find creative solutions to periodic problems to adapt and prosper when confronted with changing circumstances, and to maintain motivation and enthusiasm through adversity.
• Self starter and ability to function with minimal supervision, including strong work ethic and effective time management.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Maintain accurate records in customer relationship management (CRM) software and other organizational systems and databases., * Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.), To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of US export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a US person. Per 22 CFR §120.15, US person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 USC 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3).

TechLink is a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University (MSU), established in 1996. Since 1999, TechLink has served as the primary, nationally focused partnership intermediary for the US Department of War (DOW), helping the DOW to develop productive technology partnerships with US industry, primarily small businesses. In 2019, TechLink began providing the same service to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as its first-ever partnership intermediary. Techlink’s efforts are funded by the DOW and VA. The primary focus is helping DOW and VA laboratories to transfer their inventions to US companies, primarily through intellectual property licensing. DOW labs generate over 500 patented inventions a year in all technology fields, including medicine, electronics, software, communications, advanced materials, and energy-related technologies. VA laboratories produce hundreds of medically focused inventions a year, intending to improve the lives of veterans and the broader civilian public.

Techlink currently brokers or facilitates approximately 85 percent of the DOW’s annual license agreements with industry and the majority of VA’s license agreements. These license agreements enable companies to develop, manufacture, and sell new products and services using DOW and VA inventions. In addition, Techlink helps to establish cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) between DOW and VA laboratories and companies for joint development of new technology.

TechLink’s marketing program is a multichannel service that connects technology transfer opportunities from DOW labs and VA Medical Centers to qualified industry partners nationwide. As our target industry insights grow, TechLink’s earned leads continue to turn to us for new commercialization opportunities with DOW laboratories and VA Medical Centers.

Altogether, Techlink has established over 1800 technology partnerships between federal laboratories and US industry. These partnerships involve over 100 different federal laboratories or organizations and have resulted in the transfer of well over 1000 inventions to US industry.