Indiana University · 18 hours ago
Technology Development Manager, Life Sciences (Innovation & Commercial Specialist)
Greater Indianapolis
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expIndiana University is responsible for fostering connections between inventors and external collaborators through its Innovation and Commercialization Office. The Technology Development Manager will support technology transfer and commercialization processes, manage an IP portfolio, and establish relationships with researchers to promote innovation and commercialization of life science discoveries.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Supports technology transfer and commercialization processes by evaluating invention disclosures for technical merit, novelty, patentability, commercial potential, and market alignment
Serves various stakeholders in developing and commercializing transformational life science discoveries
Establishes and maintains relationships with researchers and faculty; provides ongoing guidance throughout the invention, protection, and commercialization process
Manages an assigned intellectual property (IP) portfolio; collaborates with internal Team on patent strategy, prosecution, and maintenance decisions
Reviews and edits non-confidential summaries, technology briefs, and marketing materials for assigned technologies
Works collaboratively with licensing and marketing teams to identify potential licensees, research sponsors, and startup opportunities
Supports and contributes to outreach programs, workshops, and training sessions to promote innovation and increase invention disclosures
Collaborates cross-functionally across ICO teams (licensing, operations, contracts, compliance) and with campus units, research centers, and shared services
Facilitates understanding of intellectual property, technology development, and commercialization pathways among faculty, students, and staff
Solicits, evaluates, and manages invention/technology disclosures; interprets research results, helps guide experimental protocol, participates in and utilizes internal procedures to justify action plan; maintains communication and rapport with faculty, and document progress in database as per procedures
Identifies potential licensees and market technologies; develops marketing strategies to implement, build, and maintain a network of potential collaborative partners/licensees and facilitate their relationships with faculty; drafts and circulates non-confidential summaries; secures external partners and funding to perform prototype development; executes Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs) to exchange further information with interested parties (CDA signatory authority per Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation (IURTC) policy); may have responsibility for drafting, completing, overseeing, and reviewing the structuring and negotiation of successful licenses of intellectual property rights, completion of option agreements, and successful development of joint projects, ventures, and/or startup companies
Secures intellectual property protection for technologies; researches and identifies appropriate law firms with relevant content expertise, generates filing and claims strategies, responds to and develops prosecution strategies with outside counsel, and manages patent prosecution with internal Patent Counsel and outside counsel; works with Intellectual Property and Compliance Leaders to ensure compliance with state and federal laws (Bayh-Dole Act, etc.) and other regulations and policies applicable to technology transfer
Drafts, negotiates, and reviews commercialization and IP-related agreements; creates term sheets, negotiates financial and contract terms, recognizing which terms require supervisory/leadership overview; oversees execution process and collaborates with licensing staff to monitor and manage all post-license compliance
Establishes and maintains a network of working relationships with IU research faculty (such as Innovate Indiana Fund, Spin Up, and other areas like Research Administration, Research Compliance, Solution Center, etc.), established and startup companies, and external law firms; cultivates all relationships to grow future collaboration opportunities; may work with IU communications in preparation of new press releases, blog posts, etc
May provide guidance and support to less experienced colleagues, including managing student interns and/or law externs in the evaluation, handling, commercialization, and disposition of inventions
Develops initiatives, attends seminars, and makes independent presentations to educate IU faculty and researchers about technology commercialization procedures and coach them on strategies; interacts with stakeholders for university technology commercialization (Research Administration, Purchasing, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI), etc.) and advises such offices on IP clauses in their agreements; participates and advises on relevant university and/or industry committees; actively participates in Conflict of Interest committee as a non-voting member; advise on project development teams; be active on nationwide professional development organization(s) committee
Assists and supports inventors with the university's business creation program (SpinUp); manages the companies in assigned portfolio and explains the program to interested inventors; provides independent guidance with supervisory oversight as needed on small business development to faculty looking to start their own company; coaches and supports faculty proposals for internal and external grant opportunities
Stays up to date and current in technology commercialization and related fields by attending and participating in local, regional, and/or national seminars, meetings, and events; maintains significant involvement with 1 local, regional, or national group; develops market-area expertise in a relevant technology area (patent landscape, market players, typical deal terms, regulatory pathways, etc.); develops expertise in a subset of IP law (derivative works of copyright, infringement, obviousness, written description, patentable subject matter, inventorship, etc.)
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree (preferably in life sciences, engineering, biomedical science, or related technical field)
5 years of relevant experience in academia or industry
Strong verbal communication and listening skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Experience in a regulated environment
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
Highly thorough and dependable
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
Possesses a high degree of initiative
Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
Familiarity with IP protection methods, contract law, and government laws and regulations related to technology commercialization (Conflict of Interest, Bayh-Dole, Export Control)
Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with academic faculty, administrators, and/or members of industry
Ability to access technology that may be subject to export control requirements therefore incumbent must be qualified for such access without an export control license
Preferred
Advanced degree in life sciences, chemistry, medical, engineering, business administration, or related field
Experience evaluating early-stage technologies and familiarity with federal funding, IP compliance, and university innovation ecosystems
Experience with market analysis, start-up formation, or Research and Development (R and D) partnerships
Certified Licensing Professional, Patent Agent, and/or related additional continuing education
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships across various stakeholder groups
Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to evolving technologies, processes, and strategic priorities
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Company
Indiana University
Indiana University looked for ways to promote innovation while assisting students in building better futures.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Indiana University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (187)
2024 (146)
2023 (127)
2022 (119)
2021 (81)
2020 (79)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Nancy Paton
Vice President & Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Aaron Neal
Deputy CIO
Recent News
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