Montana State University

Support the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Montana State University technology transfer programs by facilitating license agreements to DoD, MSU , and Vowned intellectual property and by helping to establish cooperative R&D agreements (CRADAs) between DoD and VA research laboratories and industry partners.. TechLink is a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University ( MSU ), established in 1996.. Master’s or other advanced degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, physics, or other relevant science or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.. PhD or other advanced degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, physics, or other relevant science or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.. General knowledge of IP law, patent prosecution, license agreements, and other technology transfer agreements.

senior technology manager

For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Matthieu Dumont at (406) 994-7733 or matthieu.dumont@montana.edu.
Brief Position Overview
Support the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Montana State University technology transfer programs by facilitating license agreements to DoD, MSU , and VA-owned intellectual property and by helping to establish cooperative R&D agreements (CRADAs) between DoD and VA research laboratories and industry partners.
Position Number 4C0024
Division Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Salary Salary range of $115,000 to $125,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
General Statement
TechLink is a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University ( MSU ), 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 all technology fields, including medicine, electronics, software, communications, advanced materials, and energy-related technologies. VA laboratories produce hundreds of medically focused inventions a year, intending to improve the lives of veterans and the broader civilian public.
Techlink currently brokers or facilitates approximately 85 percent of DoD’s annual license agreements with industry and the majority of VA’s license agreements. These license agreements enable companies to develop, manufacture, and sell new products and services using DoD and VA inventions. In addition, Techlink helps establish CRADAs between DoD and VA laboratories and companies for the joint development of innovative technology.
Altogether, Techlink has established over 1800 technology partnerships between federal laboratories and US industry. These partnerships involve over 100 different federal laboratories or organizations and have resulted in the transfer of well over 1000 inventions to US industry.
Techlink also manages the MSU Technology Transfer Office ( TTO ), and some TechLink employees engage in technology transfer for the University as well as Techlink’s federal sponsors.
Duties and Responsibilities
Work closely with other Techlink staff to achieve technology transfer successes for the sponsoring organizations, particularly DoD and VA, focusing primarily on facilitating technology transfer partnerships involving patent license agreements and cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs).
Maintain a consistent pipeline of technology opportunity projects across the stages of IP evaluation, written material development, prospect identification, and outreach.
Evaluate DoD, VA, and/or MSU intellectual property (IP) to identify technologies with industry partnership potential through a regular and systematic review of newly issued patents, published patent applications, and other invention-related information and assets. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of specific DoD, VA, or MSU intellectual portfolio(s) as assigned.
Produce business case-focused, written materials around identified opportunities to support the facilitation of industry partnerships from reviewing invention-related information and through conducting interviews with inventors.
Identify high-quality, prospective industry partners on identified opportunities through market research and other tactics.
Engage prospects with identified opportunities through direct outreach via email, phone, and other means.
Maintain a consistent pipeline of technology transfer agreements across the stages of facilitation from initial evaluation by prospects through application development and ultimate agreement execution.
Support prospect evaluation of partnership opportunities, including mediating discussions with inventors and facilitation of supporting agreements as needed to enable the transfer of materials, prototypes, or other information/assets.
Provide professional customer service and facilitation of license agreements, CRADAs, and other technology transfer related agreements. Support and advise prospects toward the development of license applications and other required agreement documentation in line with federal technology transfer regulations, legal requirements, and sponsor expectations.
Travel regularly to visit DOD laboratories and/or VA Medical Centers and to attend conferences, tradeshows, etc as required or needed in support of maintaining active technology opportunities and partnership pipelines.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Master’s or other advanced degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, physics, or other relevant science or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
At least five years technology transfer, R&D, product development, software development, business development, technology marketing, technology sales, or related industry experience.
Demonstrated entrepreneurial skills, especially in business development and/or sales.
Demonstrated broad understanding of technology across multiple disciplines.
Experience working with multiple stakeholders to achieve alignment and desired outcomes, including the ability to initiate and close licensing and research collaboration opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
PhD or other advanced degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, physics, or other relevant science or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
At least 10 years R&D, product development, software development, business development, technology marketing, technology sales, or related industry experience.
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.
Certified Licensing Professional ( CLP ) certification.
Demonstrated knowledge of intellectual property, e.g., US patent law, copyright, trademark, Bayh-Dole, and related federal laws pertaining to intellectual property.
Experience developing and delivering high quality and compelling presentations to diverse audiences.
The Successful Candidate Will
Ability to deliver high quality and professional level service to federal sponsors, industry partners, and other TechLink customers.
General knowledge of IP law, patent prosecution, license agreements, and other technology transfer agreements.
Ability to find creative solutions to periodic problems to adapt and prosper when confronted with changing circumstances, and to maintain motivation and enthusiasm through adversity.
Self starter and ability to function with minimal supervision, including strong work ethic and effective time management.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Ability to maintain accurate records in customer relationship management ( CRM ) software and other organizational systems and databases.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of US export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a US person. Per 22 CFR §120.15, US person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 USC 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3).
Continuation of employment is dependent upon funding availability.
Flexible work arrangements may be considered for qualified candidates.
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.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Number of Vacancies Multiple
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on December 5, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Diversity Statement
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.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides 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: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html<br/><br/>#J-18808-Ljbffr

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