Job Purpose
To provide specialist, professional advice, leadership and support to academic staff, working in the field of life sciences, in relation to the protection and exploitation of intellectual property arising from their university activities in line with the University's Innovation Strategy.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Manage a large and complex portfolio of innovation projects from initial idea disclosure evaluation through to conclusion of a commercialisation outcome e.g. license, spin-out.
2. Determine the scope and lead the delivery of the required IP and commercial due diligence in relation to invention disclosures from academic staff. Based upon due diligence, prepare written, evidence-based recommendations on the commercial (or impact) opportunity.
3. Manage the cost-effective use of university patent agents and lawyers in delivery of diligence and project outcomes.
4. Source external advice, subject to budget availability, through engagement of consultants, specialists and commercial champions to complete diligence and/or project outcomes.
4. Build and maintain effective working relationships with academic staff through the provision of specialist commercialisation expertise and support to deliver diligence and/or project outcomes.
5. Develop/agree with academic staff exploitation plans for innovations which have been successful through internal due diligence; Lead, support and manage the delivery of the commercial plans within agreed timescales.
6. Develop, design and deliver necessary marketing materials and identify and build relationships with relevant public and/or private sector organisations necessary to deliver due diligence and / or commercial outcomes.
7. As appropriate, for commercialisation plans, identify and support the preparation of applications for translational grant funding e.g. Scottish Enterprise High Growth Spin-Out Fund; MRC DPFS; Wellcome Trust; KE Fund; IAA Funds.
8. Lead, with support from University external lawyers and internal contracts team (as appropriate) the negotiation of commercial terms and other agreements in relation to commercialisation projects either licensing, collaboration or company formation agreements.
9. Organise (as required) prepare and deliver internal and external presentations related to intellectual property and commercialisation topics and the university process/activity in the area.
10. Build and maintain good working relationships with College and University services staff in the shared delivery of the university's strategy.
11. Build, develop and maintain relationships with key companies, investors and public sector agencies to engage them in the delivery of the university commercialisation activities.
12. Deputising for the Head of IP & Commercialisation as required. Preparing and delivering written and verbal reports for senior management and Colleges within agreed timescales.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Life Sciences degree and experience of working in life sciences commercialisation activity e.g. drug discovery or development company (including CRO life science investment, technology transfer office with life science focus).
A2 Knowledge of intellectual property (specifically working knowledge of patent application process); translational grant funding; company grant funding; open innovation; new business development related to innovation; preparing technical marketing materials.
A3 Demonstrate an understanding of academic environment including the complex mix of pressures, constraints, motivations and risk/reward positions of academic staff, Colleges and the Institution.
A4 Knowledge of licensing and / or research contract agreements related to the life sciences between universities and industry.
A5 Knowledge of translational grant funding schemes and supporting the drafting of funding applications.
A6 Knowledge of the drug discovery and development process.
Desirable:
B1 Knowledge of approaches to brokering engagement with pharmaceutical/ life science companies and / or investors in the life sciences.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
C2 Strong inter-personal skills.
C3 Work effectively as part of a team.
C4 Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
C5 Ability to influence and negotiate both within an organisation and with external parties.
C6 Ability to plan and manage own activities and to interact effectively with people at all levels within the University, companies and the public sector.
C7 Entrepreneurial attitude with necessary persistence and drive to bring projects to a conclusion.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Significant work experience in a life sciences research commercialisation role in a University Technology Transfer office or an equivalent role in the private sector.
E2 Demonstrable experience in the commercial evaluation of life science research generated innovation and the development / execution of commercial exploitation plans.
E3 Demonstrable experience of preparing applications and securing translational grant funding e.g. Scottish Enterprise HGSP; Wellcome Trust; MRC DPFS; Innovate UK etc in relation to the de-risking of life science innovations for commercial exploitation.
E4 Demonstrable experience of brokering engagement with potential licensees or investors with regard to the commercial exploitation of early-stage life science innovations.
E5 Experienced in building personal credibility and trust within teams in relation to a specific activity or project.
E6 Demonstrable experience in intellectual property management specifically with regard to the filing of patents and their prosecution.
E7 Demonstrable experience engaging in and leading the negotiation of license terms between university and industry partners and / or investors in relation to investment in spin-out ventures.
Desirable:
Experience of preparing marketing materials for life science opportunities.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 146751 Close Date : 27-Jun-2024 23:45