Licensing Specialist, Life Science

Phase2 Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Licensing Specialist, Life Science to actively manage the university’s life science portfolio, including therapeutics, diagnostics, devices, research tools and software‑enabled technologies. You will negotiate licenses and coordinate with inventors, industry partners and internal teams to move technologies to market.

Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating agreements, managing a pipeline toward execution, and contributing to licensing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, pharmacy, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in life science research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, university technology transfer, intellectual property, contracts, business development, venture/startup support, or commercialization of early‑stage technologies.
• Strong ability to understand and communicate life science concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write clearly, summarize complex issues and communicate professionally with faculty, companies, startups, attorneys and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, track details, follow through on deadlines and move work forward independently.
• Strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, problem‑solving ability and willingness to learn licensing, patent strategy, deal structure and university commercialization practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across licensing, intellectual property, business development, collaborative research, compliance, finance, inventors and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage life science agreements, including license, option, evaluation, material transfer, biological material, confidentiality, inter‑institutional, data use and technology validation agreements, along with amendments, letters of support and other commercialization‑related contracts.
• Manage a pipeline of agreements toward execution, coordinating with inventors, companies, startups, legal counsel and university stakeholders to resolve issues while preserving UT Austin’s long‑term interests.
• Support the Licensing team in managing agreement workflows, portfolio activity, partner communications, and commercialization priorities. Take increasing ownership of selected technologies, relationships and workflows over time.
• Coordinate with the Intellectual Property and Business Development teams on invention disclosures, patent portfolio decisions, market feedback, licensing strategy, potential partners and startup opportunities.
• Build relationships with faculty, licensees, startups, investors and industry partners, and serve as a responsive point of contact for agreement‑related questions.
• Improve team templates, workflows, agreement tracking and licensing operations. Participate in training, AUTM programming and professional development to deepen expertise in technology transfer, life science commercialization, patent strategy, startup licensing, equity and negotiation.

Job description

Licensing Specialist, Life Science

Location: Austin, TX

Hiring Department: Discovery to Impact

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Purpose: The Licensing Specialist, Life Science will support the active management of UT Austin's life science commercialization portfolio, including therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, research tools, biologics, software‑enabled life science technologies, and other health‑ and biology‑related innovations. The role will move UT Austin technologies to market through industry partners and startups, balancing the interests of inventors, licensees, partners, and internal teams to negotiate agreements that bring UT research to market.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage life science agreements, including license, option, evaluation, material transfer, biological material, confidentiality, inter‑institutional, data use and technology validation agreements, along with amendments, letters of support and other commercialization‑related contracts.
• Manage a pipeline of agreements toward execution, coordinating with inventors, companies, startups, legal counsel and university stakeholders to resolve issues while preserving UT Austin’s long‑term interests.
• Support the Licensing team in managing agreement workflows, portfolio activity, partner communications, and commercialization priorities. Take increasing ownership of selected technologies, relationships and workflows over time.
• Coordinate with the Intellectual Property and Business Development teams on invention disclosures, patent portfolio decisions, market feedback, licensing strategy, potential partners and startup opportunities.
• Build relationships with faculty, licensees, startups, investors and industry partners, and serve as a responsive point of contact for agreement‑related questions.
• Improve team templates, workflows, agreement tracking and licensing operations. Participate in training, AUTM programming and professional development to deepen expertise in technology transfer, life science commercialization, patent strategy, startup licensing, equity and negotiation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, pharmacy, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: life science research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, university technology transfer, intellectual property, contracts, business development, venture/startup support, or commercialization of early‑stage technologies.
• Strong ability to understand and communicate life science concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write clearly, summarize complex issues and communicate professionally with faculty, companies, startups, attorneys and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, track details, follow through on deadlines and move work forward independently.
• Strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, problem‑solving ability and willingness to learn licensing, patent strategy, deal structure and university commercialization practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across licensing, intellectual property, business development, collaborative research, compliance, finance, inventors and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or other advanced degree in a life science, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, medicine, business, law or related field.
• Relevant intellectual property experience, including patents, patent strategy, invention disclosures, licensing, technology transfer, patent prosecution support, IP diligence or commercialization of university or early‑stage life science technologies.
• Experience in a university technology transfer office, biotech or pharmaceutical company, medtech company, venture‑backed startup, law firm, patent office, accelerator, consulting firm or related commercialization environment.
• Familiarity with patent licenses, option agreements, confidentiality agreements, inter‑institutional agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, sponsored research agreements or other agreements used to advance life science technologies.
• Experience reviewing scientific publications, patent materials, business plans, investor materials, diligence plans or early‑stage technology summaries.
• Familiarity with basic principles of patent law, licensing, royalty and milestone structures, equity, diligence obligations, startup formation and university conflict‑of‑interest or compliance issues.
• Experience building relationships with faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry partners, investors or external collaborators.
• Demonstrated record of being a self‑starter, careful writer, strong collaborator and practical problem‑solver.
• Participation in AUTM, technology transfer training, entrepreneurship programs, venture fellowships, business development internships or similar professional development.

Salary Range

$85,000+ depending on qualifications.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.