Senior Licensing Associate

Houstonmethodistcareers; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist seeks a Senior Licensing Associate to support the Office of Technology Transfer in identifying, managing, and commercializing intellectual property. You will negotiate complex licenses, build strategic partnerships, and drive collaborations that enhance research impact and economic value.

The role requires strong negotiation and business development capabilities, with experience in IP management and market analysis, to advance innovative technologies from research to market

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical engineering or related life sciences, or four years of equivalent experience.
• Masters or PhD preferred.
• 3 years of IP management and business negotiation experience.
• 3–5 years in life science, engineering, or technology fields preferred.
• Experience in business development, financial modeling, and marketing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with faculty, scientists, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate regularly for smooth transfer of information to relevant parties.
• Interact with personnel across campuses and outside organizations.
• Create, review, and negotiate agreements including MTAs and NDAs with partners.
• Review invention disclosures and assess patentability and commercialization potential.
• Report invention disclosures and patent prosecution to funding sources and clients.
• Analyze market opportunities and prepare promotional materials for internal/external audiences.
• Commercialize IP including identifying licensees and managing relationships.
• Assist or lead engagement with industry partners for licensing opportunities.
• Engage industry to expand networks and identify market trends relevant to Houston Methodist.

Skills

English proficiency

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Customer service

Scientific background

Multitasking

INTEUM familiarity

Education

Biomedical engineering

Life sciences

Masters/PhD preferred

Tools

INTEUM

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Senior Licensing Associate is responsible for assisting the Director to the Office of Technology Transfer so as to identify, manage, and commercialize the intellectual property developed at Houston Methodist system. This includes: engaging in complex negotiations and fostering, developing, and growing strategic partnerships with continuing collaborations that enhance HMH research competencies, reputation and economic impact.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical engineering or in a life sciences related discipline or additional four years of experience (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below) in lieu of a degree
• Masters degree or PhD preferred

EXPERIENCE

• 3 Years of relevant experience in business negotiation and intellectual property management
• 3-5 years industry experience in life science, engineering, or technology fields, preferred
• Business development, financial modeling, and marketing experience, preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Sufficient scientific background to understand complex scientific concepts and translate them into business terms
• Ability to manage multiple projects
• Ability to work successfully in a team/group setting as well as self-motivated to complete projects with minimal supervision
• Familiarity with INTEUM

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establish and maintain robust working relationships with key stakeholders including faculty and scientists.
• Communicate regularly on behalf of the department to ensure the smooth transfer of information to relevant stakeholders in order to facilitate the business of the department.
• Interact with all levels of personnel throughout HMH campuses, as well as outside organizations.
• Create, review and negotiate agreements which may include Material Transfer Agreements and Non-Disclosure Agreements with third parties in conjunction with legal Services.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Review and evaluate invention disclosures including performing background scientific patent literature searches and assessing the scientific merit, patentability and commercial potential of inventions.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensure the reporting on invention disclosures, patent prosecution and commercialization to funding sources including federal reporting through iEdison, CPRIT, and corporate clients, as required.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Market HMH technology focusing on the analysis and evaluation of market opportunities, prepare market and promotional materials for business and internal audiences, identify marketing targets--collect, organize and present market information internally to target potential clients and provide further information to interested parties as necessary.
• Commercialize HMH intellectual property, including identification of potential licensees, and the maintenance and auditing of ongoing commercial relationships.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist or lead, as necessary, the engagement of industry partners about potential licensing agreements by fostering, developing and growing strategic partnerships and collaborations.
• Interact with industry on a regular basis to expand HMH networks, keep abreast of market/technology trends and associated business opportunities that are relevant for HMH in order to achieve strategic, mid and long rang research and business goals.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**

**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical engineering or in a life sciences related discipline or additional four years of experience (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below) in lieu of a degree
• Masters degree or PhD preferred

EXPERIENCE

• 3 Years of relevant experience in business negotiation and intellectual property management
• 3-5 years industry experience in life science, engineering, or technology fields, preferred
• Business development, financial modeling, and marketing experience, preferred