Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Technology Licensing

The Technology Licensing Officer manages portfolios of new technologies or inventions created by University employees; supports the University's technology transfer mission by identifying, protecting, enhancing, and commercializing intellectual property (IP) developed at the University; markets the University's technologies and patents to companies; negotiates licenses and other agreements; monitors/maintains existing agreements and commercial relationships; provides assistance to the University community on intellectual property matters not requiring an attorney, including interpretation of University intellectual property policies; requires frequent and effective collaboration with faculty and researchers, patent attorneys, industry representatives, and internal stakeholders to facilitate the transition of innovations from lab to market.

• Review and assess new invention disclosures to identify those with high commercial potential; perform and initiate technical background and commercial market research; conduct technical, legal, and/or commercial assessments of new technologies
• Determine and implement patent strategy for new invention disclosures, including selecting legal counsel, reviewing patent applications, interviewing inventors, reviewing prosecution documents, and assisting in making decisions with legal counsel
• Develop and implement strategies to market university technologies to potential commercial partners; prepare non-confidential summaries and other promotional materials
• Manage all patent-related activities within assigned technology portfolio; participate in the Patent Review Committee process on patenting decisions
• Draft, negotiate, and manage a range of IP-related major and minor agreements including but not limited to Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Evaluation and Option Agreements, License Agreements, equity-based agreements, and Inter-institutional and IP Management Agreements
• Monitor compliance and ensure alignment with university policies, procedures, and goals
• Build and maintain relationships with industry contacts and prospective licensees
• Represent the University at industry conferences, trade shows, and other technology marketing events
• Serve as a liaison to university colleges, campuses, research centers, and administrative units to promote IP disclosure and technology transfer
• Deliver presentations and training on IP policies and the technology transfer process; provide IP-related guidance to university personnel across departments
• Meet regularly with researchers to discuss ongoing research, assess IP potential, and encourage disclosures
• Support related tasks such as materials transfer agreements, IP policy interpretation, and requests from units
• Engage in activities that promote or develop and enhance the formation of startup companies from University technologies; provide guidance and planning on developing technologies
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 15
• Minimum – $109,300.00
• MidPoint – $136,600.00
• Maximum – $164,000.00

• Asset management
• Business development
• Content creation
• Contract management
• Innovative thinking
• Intellectual property management
• Market analysis
• Negotiation
• Policy analysis
• Research methods
• Technical analysis
• Technical Writing