Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Technology Licensing

The Technology Licensing Specialist is responsible for managing portfolios of new university technologies and inventions; identifies new technologies and commercialization opportunities; evaluates commercial potential; develops marketing strategies to companies; drafts and negotiates licenses and other types of agreements, including material transfer, collaboration, and nondisclosure agreements; and interprets university intellectual property policies.

• Assess and evaluate new technologies and disclosures to determine and increase commercial potential; prioritize licensing and patent activities
• 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
• Prepare technical abstracts related to marketing documents; perform and initiate technical background and commercial market research; perform technical, legal, and commercial assessment of new technologies
• Market University technologies/ inventions to companies in order to generate opportunities and reach unit goals
• Draft and negotiate terms of all major and minor agreements with companies including option, license, and equity-based agreements; monitor and maintain existing agreements
• Provide faculty and staff with intellectual property information including information on invention disclosure, technology transfer, patenting, and licensing
• Facilitate and participate in Patent Review Committee on patenting decisions
• Engage in activities that promote or develop and enhance the formation of startup companies from Penn State technologies; provide guidance and planning on developing technologies concerning commercial success 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 – 13
• Minimum – $86,300.00
• MidPoint – $107,900.00
• Maximum – $129,500.00