Senior Technology Manager

Austin Leach at 406-994-7707 or Austin.leach@montana.edu

Work with the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and University research community to license intellectual property to US companies and help establish cooperative R&D agreements between DoD and VA research laboratories and commercial industry partners.

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 Defense (DoD), helping the DoD 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 is a not for profit organization and its efforts are funded by the DoD and VA. 
TechLink’s primary focus is helping DoD and VA laboratories to transfer their inventions to US companies, primarily through intellectual property licensing. DoD 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 everyone. TechLink currently brokers or facilitates approximately 70 percent of the DoD’s annual license agreements with industry and desires to increase its licensing productivity for the VA. These license agreements enable companies to develop, manufacture, and sell new products and services using DoD and VA inventions. In addition, TechLink helps to establish cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) between DoD and VA laboratories and companies for joint development of new technology. Finally, TechLink helps companies secure competitive research and development (R&D) contracts from DoD to develop new technologies that have both military and commercial applications. These R&D contracts are primarily through the DoD Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.

Altogether, TechLink has established more than 1500 technology partnerships between federal laboratories and US industry. These partnerships involve 97 different federal laboratories or organizations and have resulted in the transfer of over 1000 inventions to US industry. 
TechLink also manages the MSU Technology Transfer Office and some TechLink employees engage in technology transfer for the University as well as TechLink’s federal sponsors.

• Work closely with other TechLink staff to achieve technology transfer successes for the sponsoring organizations, particularly DoD and VA, focusing primarily on patent license agreements.

• Help identify and evaluate DoD and VA and/or other sponsoring organizations’ technologies with commercial and licensing potential.

• Help select the most promising technologies for licensing to companies.

• Conduct marketing and industry research to identify high-potential private-industry customers for the selected technologies; build compelling business cases as needed.

• Engage target companies and present them with the 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.

• 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, with similar activities for the MSU Technology Transfer Office.

1. PhD or other advanced degree in materials science, mechanical 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 R&D, product 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.

1. At least 10 years R&D, product development, business development, technology marketing, technology sales, or related industry experience.

2. 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.

3. Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) certification.

4. Demonstrated knowledge of intellectual property, e.g. US patent law, copyright, trademark, Bayh-Dole and related federal laws pertaining to intellectual property.

• Be able to find creative solutions to periodic problems.

• Be a self-starter who can function with minimal supervision, has a strong work ethic and manages time effectively.

• Have a broad understanding of technology, be able to initiate and close licensing and research collaboration opportunities.

• Be able to adapt and prosper when confronted with changing circumstances, and is able to maintain motivation and enthusiasm through adversity.

• Have outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work in a team environment.

This position includes defense department work with security restrictions; therefore, applicants who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for the position.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Screening of applications will begin on 
October 31, 2019 however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples. 
 

Montana State University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran’s status, sex, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.

Montana State University makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; recruitment@montana.edu .

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSUprovides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. 

MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: http://www.montana.edu/hr/disability_accommodation/complaints_grievances.html