Commercialization and Licensing Manager

Georgia Southern University; Statesboro (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA invites applications for the Commercialization and Licensing Manager. The role reports to the Vice President for Research and focuses on identifying, evaluating, and marketing university technologies for licensing and startup opportunities.

You will build external networks, coordinate licensing negotiations, and develop commercialization strategies to translate research into products and economic impact.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in university technology transfer or related fields such as patents, venture capital, licensing.
• Ability to comprehend a wide range of technologies and articulate their value to business and industry.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate academic research for commercialization, including IP protection, translational funding, licensing and startups.
• Build and maintain an external commercialization network to expand opportunities and mentor researchers.
• Connect faculty with translational funding and resources like NSF I‑ Corps and SBIR/STTR programs.
• Market the university's IP portfolio to potential partners through outreach and networking.
• Lead and support licensing activities, including identifying licensees and negotiating deals.
• Develop commercialization strategies and pathways to bring technology to market.

Skills

Technology transfer

Licensing

Business development

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Commercialization and Licensing Manager

Job ID: 302983

Location: Statesboro, Georgia;Georgia Southern - Savannah

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Georgia Southern University is the state's largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With nearly 150 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 \"high research\" university and serves more than 29,500 students from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and more than 100 countries.

With four vibrant campuses - the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, the Liberty Campus in Hinesville, and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro - Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment that encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned specialized accreditation from numerous professional and academic associations that set standards in their respective fields.

Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority. With a focus on hands‑on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive, student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed.

Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally recognized for the caliber of its academic programs and student experience. Georgia Southern University has also been recognized by Forbes as one of \"America's Best-In-State Employers\" for 2025.

Location

Armstrong Campus - Savannah, GA

OR

Statesboro Campus - Statesboro, GA

Department Information

Tech Transfer Office

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Research, the Commercialization and Licensing Manager must fulfill organizational, interpersonal, scientific/technical, entrepreneurial, and marketing responsibilities. The position is a non-academic (12‑month) appointment.

This position is time limited and 100% sponsored-funded; therefore, continued employment is contingent upon availability of grant or contract funding.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and evaluate promising research and technologies for commercialization by engaging faculty and researchers, particularly in advance of public disclosure or publication, and assessing opportunities for intellectual property protection, translational funding, licensing, and startup formation


• Advise, build, and maintain a strong external commercialization network of industry partners, investors, entrepreneurs, startups, licensing prospects, funding organizations, and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for Georgia Southern research, technology translation, and economic impact. Mentor faculty and researchers on commercialization and entrepreneurial opportunities, including customer discovery, business‑model development, market validation, industry needs, technology positioning, and pathways for translating research into products, services, or businesses


• Connect faculty innovators with translational funding and commercialization resources, including programs such as NSF I‑Corps, NSF Partnerships for Innovation, SBIR/STTR, Georgia Research Alliance programs, and other external funding or entrepreneurial resources


• Actively market Georgia Southern's intellectual property portfolio to companies, entrepreneurs, investors, startups, and other potential commercialization partners through targeted outreach, presentations, networking, and other business‑development activities, working collaboratively with all Tech Transfer Office staff


• Lead and support licensing activities for Georgia Southern technologies, including identifying prospective licensees, developing licensing strategies, supporting deal structures and negotiations, and coordinating the execution and ongoing management of licensing relationships


• Develop and implement commercialization strategies for university intellectual property, including assessing market opportunities, identifying potential industry and commercialization partners, developing technology value propositions, and determining appropriate pathways to market.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in university technology transfer or a closely related field, such as patents, venture capital, product management, and/or licensing

Required Experience

• Ability to comprehend a wide range of technologies, understand cutting‑edge innovations, and explain their value proposition to business and industry