Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

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:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, 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 complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 16
• Minimum – $123,200.00
• MidPoint – $157,100.00
• Maximum – $191,000.00

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