Technology Manager

• Work closely with other Techlink staff to independently lead complex, high-value, and strategically significant licensing and collaboration opportunities.
• Achieve technology transfer successes for the sponsoring organizations, particularly DOW and VA, focusing on patent license agreements, cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) and other partnership opportunities.
• Help identify and evaluate DOW and VA and/or other sponsoring organizations’ technologies.
• Help select the most promising technologies for marketing and licensing to companies.
• Engage in TechLink’s business development efforts to position labs, technologies and Research & Development portfolios for technology transfer partnership opportunities
• Engage target companies and present them with licensing opportunities (and, where appropriate, other technology transfer opportunities).
• Assist interested companies in developing license applications and commercialization plans, or in developing other technology transfer agreements.
• Serve as key account manager for specific laboratories or medical centers.
• Interact with federal personnel representing the selected technologies to help secure licensing or other agreements.
• Help ensure that companies and the federal labs follow through on licensing applications to achieve fully executed licensing agreements.
• Assist, as requested, in other ways to help Techlink achieve its mission., * 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 5 years technology transfer, R&D, product development, software development, business development, technology marketing, technology sales, or related industry experience.
3. Demonstrated entrepreneurial skills, especially in business development and/or sales.
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. At least 10 years R&D, product development, software development, business development, technology marketing, technology sales, or related industry experience.
3. 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.
4. Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) certification.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of intellectual property, e.g. US patent law, copyright, trademark, Bayh-Dole and related federal laws pertaining to intellectual property.
6. 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 who can function with minimal supervision, has a strong work ethic and manages time effectively.
• Broad understanding of technology, be able to initiate and close licensing and research collaboration opportunities.
• Outstanding 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) that was 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. Techlink’s 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 virtually all technology fields, including medicine, electronics, software, communications, advanced materials, and energy-related technologies. VA laboratories produce hundreds of medically focused inventions a year with the aim of improving 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 nearly 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.