Research & Innovation Partnership Specialist

University of New Brunswick; Fredericton; Hybrid; CAD 68,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Flexible hours & work-from-home

Job summary

University of New Brunswick is seeking a Research and Innovation Partnership Specialist to advance UNB's research partnerships, IP management, and commercialization portfolios. You will connect researchers with external partners, represent UNB in external forums, and guide IP strategies.

The role focuses on fostering collaborations, negotiating agreements, and accelerating commercialization activities across Fredericton or Saint John in a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree required.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Experience with research partnerships, IP, or technology commercialization is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as UNB's primary representative for research partnerships, innovation, technology transfer, commercialization and entrepreneurship.
• Connect researchers, students, Centres, and Institutes with external partners to create collaborative opportunities.
• Represent UNB on boards, committees, advisory groups, and external forums to enhance the university's profile and impact.
• Provide guidance on research partnerships, commercialization opportunities, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property development.
• Work with funding agencies, researchers, and partners to support projects from concept through implementation and reporting.
• Promote awareness of funding programs that support collaborative research and commercialization initiatives.
• Identify technologies with commercialization potential and assess IP protection opportunities.
• Develop commercialization pathways that maximize impact and return.

Education

Post-secondary degree

Job description

Closing Date: November 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM

OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT RESEARCH

The Office of Partnerships (OP), within the Office of the Vice-President Research (OVPR) and under the leadership of the Associate Vice President Research, Innovation, and Partnerships and the direction of the Executive Director of Partnerships, is UNB's centralized partnership management unit. The OP leads UNB's research partnership and commercialization portfolios, intellectual property management, as well as corporate and industry partnerships including the strategic partnership portfolio.

WHAT WE OFFER

Full-time | Continuing | Fredericton or Saint John | Hybrid

UNB is committed to ensuring employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance. As such, we are proud to support a hybrid work approach, which includes flexible hours and work-from-home options.

Standard Work Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:15 am - 4:30 pm | 36.25 hours per week

Salary Range: $68,143 - $88,587 per annum

YOUR FOCUS

Reporting to the Intellectual Property Manager, the Research and Innovation Partnership Specialist (RIPS) advances the University's broad advocacy and engagement strategy as it relates to the research partnership, intellectual property, commercialization and entrepreneurship portfolios.

• Serve as one of UNB's primary representatives for research partnerships, innovation, technology transfer, commercialization, and entrepreneurship at the regional, national, and international levels.
• Connect researchers, students, Centres, and Institutes with external partners to create collaborative research, innovation, and commercialization opportunities.
• Represent UNB on boards, committees, advisory groups, and external forums to enhance the university's profile and impact.
• Provide guidance and support across the university on research partnerships, commercialization opportunities, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property development.
• Work with funding agencies, researchers, and partners to support projects from proof of concept through implementation and reporting.
• Promote awareness of and access to regional, provincial, and federal funding programs that support collaborative research and commercialization initiatives.
• Identify technologies, discoveries, inventions, and research outputs with commercialization potential and assess opportunities for market adoption and intellectual property protection.
• Evaluate the commercial potential and value of university-owned intellectual property and develop commercialization pathways that maximize impact and return.
• Develop funding and investment strategies that advance proof-of-concept activities and accelerate commercialization outcomes.
• Manage the full technology transfer lifecycle, from concept development and disclosure through commercialization and market adoption.
• Assist in the preparation of communication and marketing materials used to secure commercialization funding and partnership opportunities.
• Lead or support negotiations for non-disclosure agreements, collaborative research agreements, , term sheets, licensing agreements, data-sharing agreements, and other commercialization-related contracts.
• Advise on intellectual property strategies to maximize value, strengthen commercialization success, and mitigate institutional risk.
• Manage commercialization project plans, milestones, deliverables, and timelines to achieve strategic objectives.
• Manage complex, confidential, and sensitive matters involving commercial, legal, financial, and reputational considerations.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Post-secondary degree
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in university research administration and/or technology commercialization

Additional Strengths

• Education, training and/or experience in academic and economic development.
• Established relationships with existing and potential external research partners both local and regional considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the industrial and economic landscape of the region.
• Demonstrated understanding of academic strategic research priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and relational skills required to work effectively with faculty, researchers, students, staff, and external partners/clients.
• Exceptional negotiating skills, situational awareness, and ability to problem solve.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and manage intellectual property issues, legal issues, risk and academic requirements in research contracts.
• Strong commitment to ethical standards, confidentiality, and professionalism in all aspects of work.
• Ability and willingness to travel is required, including internationally.

Additional Information

WHY CHOOSE UNB?

UNB offers a large variety of benefits for employees, including a full pension, a minimum of three weeks of vacation annually, the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and dental, life, and health insurance.

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL STAFF UNION (PTSU)

This position is part of the PSAC, Local 60551 employee group and falls under the PTSU Collective Agreement.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The University of New Brunswick and PSAC/PTSU Local 60551 are committed to employment equity and fostering diversity within our community and developing an inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the broader community that we serve. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who will help us achieve our goals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

We thank all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.