Technology Transfer Officer - Stellenbosch, South Africa - Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University
Verified Company
Stellenbosch, South Africa

5 days ago

Thabo Mthembu

Posted by:

Thabo Mthembu

beBee Recruiter
Description
Duties/Pligte The key responsibilities of the incumbent will be to work closely with other members of the Innovus technology transfer team on the following key performance areas:

Networking and Marketing

  • Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with SU's academic and research community to stimulate awareness of IP issues and commercial opportunities, and to encourage an innovative and entrepreneurial culture within SU;
  • Enabling and supporting the technology disclosure process at SU;
  • Setting up meetings and arranging events to market Innovus and SU technologies on and off campus;
  • Actively providing information to update the social media and website information of Innovus with news, events information, funding opportunities, entrepreneurship opportunities, etc.;
  • Appropriately marketing SU's IP to identify and engage commercial exploitation partners / investors;
  • Reporting to the

Deputy Director:
Technology Transfer, and working in close collaboration with the other technology transfer team members.


Evaluation and protection

  • Evaluating invention disclosures and carrying out the due diligence process for protection and identifying the feasibility of the technology/project for commercialisation;
  • Grasping technical concepts quickly, and translating these into commercially viable proposals;
  • Identifying appropriate routes of IP exploitation;
  • Conducting novelty searches and competitor analyses;
  • Analysing business opportunities;
  • In collaboration with external patent attorneys and the

Deputy Director:
Technology Transfer, providing input into patent prosecution and patentability as this may influence the commercialisation strategy;


Commercialisation

  • Identifying potential industry partners for specific technology commercialisation opportunities;
  • Constant and very proactive liaising with the industry in order to facilitate technology transactions;
  • Engaging in technology licensing and new venture formation processes, in particular structuring, negotiating and closing deals;
  • Working effectively with key stakeholders, assertively influencing them and, where appropriate, showing tenacity and persistence in business development situations;
  • Monitoring commercial relationships and related agreements.

Communication and other duties

  • Communicating regularly and effectively with other members of Innovus, including regular meetings with the Director: Technology Transfer, to ensure effective management of SU's IP;
  • Carrying out such other duties relevant to the incumbent's experience as requested by the

Deputy Director:
Technology Transfer;

  • Developing novel and exciting communication strategies to raise awareness on IP and technology commercialisation for SU stakeholders;
  • Communicating and collaborating with the Division for Research Development as required.

Working Environment

  • Analysing IP to identify the best mode of protection and developing a suitable IP commercialisation strategy;
  • Making recommendations for the protection of IP to the

Deputy Director:
Technology Transfer and to appropriate academic staff;

  • Identifying and engaging suitable commercial exploitation partners and investors;
  • Engaging in the structuring, negotiation and closing of licensing deals and new venture formation;
  • Liaising with colleagues in the technology transfer team and within Innovus and SU to contribute to the development of good practice in technology transfer.

Freedom to act and decision-making

  • Contributing to the delivery of a range of outputs, including technology disclosures, protection of SU's IP, licence and investment deals and new venture formation.
Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

  • A postgraduate scientific or technical degree in a life sciences field;
  • At least three years¿ relevant experience;
  • Proven success in having been involved in a transaction from start to finish;
  • Good knowledge of intellectual property protection forms and legal protection thereof;
  • Practical knowledge of commercialisation and investment networks;
  • Good business acumen;
  • Good organisational skills;
  • Good communication and numeracy skills;
  • Good public speaker;
  • Good time management skills and the ability to multitask;
  • Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills;
  • Proactive selfstarter;
  • The ability to support others as part of a team;
  • Flexible and cooperative;
  • High energy level;
  • Willingness to travel locally and internationally, if required;
  • A valid driver's licence and own transport.
Recommendation/Aanbeveling

  • Proven experience in a technology transfer office at a university;
  • Project management experience;
  • Experience of working within a scientific environment;
  • Negotiation experience throughout a full value chain;
  • Good understanding of the Intellectual Property Rights of Publicly Funded Research and Development Act (51 of 2008) and its regulations, as well as SU's Intellectual Property Policy;
  • Good knowledge of technology transfer syst
More jobs from Stellenbosch University
See all jobs of Stellenbosch University