Licensing Associate

University of Akron Research Foundation; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) seeks a Licensing Associate to advance UA technologies by building and managing partnerships across industry, government, academia, and nonprofits, and by negotiating licensing agreements to commercialize UA innovations.

The role reports to the Executive Director and will contribute to technology assessment, market research, marketing, and portfolio management to promote UA intellectual property assets and drive successful commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Technology Assessment & Market Research: Evaluate inventions for commercial potential, patentability, stage of development, market need, and competitive positioning.
• Marketing & Business Development: Prepare non-confidential summaries and marketing briefs; collaborate with UA OTT to promote IP assets via digital channels.
• Licensing: Negotiate, draft, and execute licensing and option agreements ensuring terms are commercially reasonable and compliant with regulations.
• Portfolio & Post-Licensing Management: Maintain portfolios and track licensing milestones.

Job description

The Licensing Associate will advance the University of Akron Research Foundation’s (UARF) mission of innovation and entrepreneurship by building and managing partnerships across community, corporate, investor, government, academic, and nonprofit sectors. This role focuses on facilitating the commercialization of The University of Akron’s (UA) technologies through the negotiation and execution of licensing agreements.

The ideal candidate will play an integral role in advancing UA and UARF’s innovation and technology commercialization initiatives and reports directly to the Executive Director of the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF).

Technology Assessment & Market Research

• Evaluate inventions stemming from UA research for commercial potential, patentability, stage of development, market need, and competitive positioning
• Conduct patent landscapes and prior art searches to guide intellectual property (IP) protection strategies

Marketing & Business Development

• Prepare non-confidential summaries and marketing briefs to spark interest from potential licensees
• Work collaboratively with UA’s Technology Transfer Office (OTT) to promote all UA IP assets by leveraging UARF’s digital presence, including its website, social media platforms, and targeted marketing outlets to promote intellectual property opportunities

Licensing

• Negotiate, draft, and execute licensing and option agreements in collaboration with the Executive Director and UA’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT), ensuring terms are commercially reasonable and compliant with federal, state, and local regulations.

Portfolio & Post-Licensing Management

• Maintain portfolios in compliance with organizational procedures
• Track licensing milestones