Technology Commercialization Associate
Lehigh University

Job no: 502770
Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time
Location: Bethlehem
Categories: Information Technology

The Technology Commercialization Associate (TCA) is front-facing and responsible for mining, initiating, identifying, evaluating, and managing invention disclosures; market analysis of inventions; patentability analysis; interacting with University researchers; and contributing to the commercialization of Lehigh intellectual property (IP). The TCA will market the Office of Technology Transfer's services to research faculty and students to promote translational research, educate faculty and students on research translation, and develop strategies for engaging research faculty and students in translational research.. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

Position Number: S97310This position is a Grade: 10-40 with an approximate salary range of $65,290-$79,430 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications

Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website at https://hr.lehigh.edu/benefits

1. Invention Disclosure Management and Evaluation
*Elicit and source new invention disclosures from faculty by following federally funded and sponsored research projects in Lehigh labs
*Evaluate inventions from faculty by researching the industry and market for similar and competing technologies
*Evaluate new invention disclosures for technical merit by meeting with faculty inventors and performing analysis of applications and performance related to products on the market
*Perform market analysis of inventions and products to compare the competitive landscape of a Lehigh invention
*Make recommendations to Director on patent filings for new inventions based on potential market impact
*Work with outside patent counsel to coordinate initial patent application filings
*Promote the services of Lehigh's Office of Technology Transfer to faculty, graduate and undergraduate students
*Elicit new copyrighted works IP from the College of Health and identify potential data sets as an asset generated from research
*Elicit, prepare and manage software for Software Express License website, including working with faculty to identify software created at Lehigh for academic and commercial use

2. Reporting, Compliance and Patentability of Inventions
*Perform prior art search of existing/public patents, patent applications, journal papers, etc. to find any similar inventions
*Identify any prior art that relates to the Lehigh invention
*Discuss with the Lehigh inventor if and how their invention differs from the prior art
*Formulate patent strategies with the Director and coordinate with external patent counsel on application filings
*Interact with outside patent attorneys on intellectual property matters
*Understand the Bayh-Dole Act and assist in ensuring compliance and reporting through US Government's iEdison system
*Provide required reporting of inventions and of development, management and disposition of intellectual property as required by federal regulations
*Provide data and analysis to support compliance with terms of sponsored research and other agreements

3. Industry Marketing, Evaluation and Outreach
*Assess commercial potential of Lehigh inventions
*Identify and qualify potential licensees and commercialization partners for Lehigh inventions
*Find industry and market reports relevant to the Lehigh invention to help determine market size, trends and growth of the market
*Perform market analysis: 1) Industry description and outlook; 2) description of target market; 3) analysis of key
competitors/potential licensees; 4) key success factors; 5) market trends
*Using CRM based applications, find contacts at targeted companies for marketing of Lehigh inventions
*Write technical promotional marketing materials for Lehigh technologies
*Perform mass marketing to targeted companies to introduce Lehigh inventions for potential licensing opportunities
*Maintain "Available Technologies" portal to have updated information and non-confidential marketing summaries of technologies
*Work in partnership with Lehigh communications team and coordinator to ensure adequate visibility of resources of the Office of Technology Transfer to the Lehigh ecosystem
*Develop marketing stories of Lehigh faculty researchers and success stories for the Office of Technology Transfer website

4. Research Faculty and Staff Engagement
*Develop and manage strong relationships with faculty and graduate student/post-doctoral associate inventors and prospective inventors
*Develop and implement outreach strategy to identify, engage and retain Lehigh faculty and research scientists in the Office of Technology Transfer's initiatives
*Work with faculty and graduate researchers to identify potentially protectable and marketable intellectual property. This could include identifying candidate projects by screening grant awards and scientific publications
*Educate faculty and students on technology commercialization and to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem
*Work with various university departments to support faculty commercialization and promotion of Office of Technology Transfer services
*Develop and implement programs for faculty, research scientists and their graduate students/post-doctoral associates to foster understanding of how translation of research can impact society
*Collaborate with university stakeholders, including academic departments, research centers and specialized programs, to identify areas of need and create effective learning opportunities
*Ensure faculty members receive timely support they need throughout the commercialization process
*Design targeted programs to identify specific needs of underrepresented groups

5. Collaborate with the NSF ART Grant Project Manager to support the success of seed translational research projects
*Support and aid faculty and student researchers with various needs to ensure smooth and product development project activities
*Initiate and evaluate new invention disclosures for insertion into the ART Grant Seed Translational
*Research Project proposal pool
*Assist in the ART Grant promotion and marketing activities on campus to instill and initiate interest from faculty and students for a translational research mindset and culture

Special ConsiderationsPersons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist at inada@lehigh.eduThis position is funded by soft dollars; there is no severance associated with this positionThe duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Physical Science field or Engineering or the equivalent combination of education and experience; Master's Degree preferred

Three to five years of related work experience

Strong understanding of the concept of business development and marketing

Sound understanding of intellectual property is a plus

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the positionOnly complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

Advertised: March 20, 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

This job has expired.