Intellectual Property and Licensing Associate

Job Description
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants must attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application in a PDF format. Please note that the applicant tracking system does not convert attachments in Word format successfully.
Position Summary
The Intellectual Property and Licensing Associate will assist the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) to manage the university's Intellectual Property portfolio and bring Rice University research into the commercial sector. This position will evaluate the patentability and commercial potential of technology developed by the university, as well as assisting in drafting and negotiating patent related agreements in support of Rice University's technologies. The Intellectual Property and Licensing Associate will additionally provide service to Rice University faculty as well as evaluate, market, strategize, value and commercialize technologies developed at the university. The ideal candidate for this position will have a Masters or Ph.D. in a STEM field and at least three years or more of research or technology transfer experience.
Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field
• 3 years or more of experience in research or technology transfer

Skills Required

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and presentation skills;
• High attention to details;
• Strong customer relationship skills;
• Ability to work under pressure, pay attention to detail and meet inflexible deadline on own initiative;
• Ability to handle difficult situations while maintaining composure;
• Ability to relate highly technology information to potential stakeholders;
• Strong computer skills including the use of the Microsoft Office Suite and database applications;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment; and
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, take ownership and leadership of time-sensitive and complex tasks.

Essential Functions

• Assists with the management of the university's patent portfolio; reviews patent-related correspondence; instructs patent counsel, as needed, to ensure appropriate patent coverage for university technologies;
• Conduct prior art and marketability assessments for university Intellectual Property;
• Evaluates technologies from across the university and performs due diligence;
• Acts as a liaison between patent counsel and university inventors to develop short-term strategies for Intellectual Property protection for individual technologies, as well as long-term strategies for research portfolios;
• Assists licensing team with drafting and negotiating license agreements with both industry partners and university spin-outs;
• Negotiates and drafts inter-institutional agreements, standstill agreements, option agreements, patent reimbursement agreements, letter agreements;
• Manages license agreements once negotiated and oversees licensee compliance in collaboration with OTT's finance team;
• Prepares technology evaluation and commercialization reports for university Intellectual Property;
• Works with faculty and university stakeholders to articulate a marketing and commercialization strategy for university Intellectual Property;
• Manage the invention disclosure intake process for new technology disclosures
• Determines university's obligations, with respect to Intellectual Property, to sponsors based on contracts with sponsors to fulfill obligations and accordingly reports the Intellectual Property to sponsors;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferences

• Masters or Ph.D. in STEM fields
• Experience working in an academic technology transfer office

Workplace Requirements

• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm
• Hybrid option available

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies
About Us
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.