Technology Commercialization Specialist

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO medical plan

Paid time off

Retirement programs

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center is seeking an entry-level Technology Commercialization Specialist to support evaluating and commercializing university IP. You will work under supervision, learning terminology, systems, and workflows, with structured training and feedback.

Senior staff oversee portfolio strategy and negotiations. The role offers hands-on exposure to invention disclosures, market research, licensing pathways, and collaboration with faculty and research groups within a comprehensive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree as listed above.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience in commercialization, research, product development, business development, innovation, or technology transfer.
• Coursework, academic projects, internships, or student employment may demonstrate foundational skills related to tech transfer.

Responsibilities

• Support senior commercialization staff in day-to-day communications with faculty and research groups; prepare meetings and follow-up.
• Assist with invention disclosure intake and request missing information using established procedures.
• Conduct guided literature and market research; summarize applications, competing technologies, and preliminary opportunities for senior review.
• Collect information on funding, inventor affiliations, outside collaborators, and related agreements; flag ownership or revenue-sharing obligations.
• Assist with commercialization plans by researching licensing, startup and funding pathways; complete tasks for senior staff.
• Prepare draft technology summaries, internal review materials, and presentations; obtain review before external use.
• Work with Business Development to identify licensees and company contacts; prepare outreach materials and document responses.
• Provide routine status updates and explain processes; refer substantive questions to senior staff.
• Participate in licensing and collaboration discussions; document proposed terms and action items; prepare follow-up materials.
• Maintain invention and opportunity records, track tasks and deadlines, raise delays or gaps with supervisor.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in business, engineering, technology management, life sciences, economics, or a related field

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY

The Technology Commercialization Specialist works under direct supervision to support the evaluation and commercialization of intellectual property arising from university research. This entry-level role performs defined assignments while learning technology transfer terminology, systems, agreements, and workflows. The Technology Commercialization Specialist receives structured training and regular feedback and is accountable for accurate, timely completion of assigned work. Senior staff review substantive work and retain responsibility for portfolio strategy, substantive negotiations, and institutional commitments.

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education Bachelor's Degree in business, engineering, technology management, life sciences, economics, or a related field.
• Experience No prior professional experience required. This entry-level position is designed for candidates with 0-2 years of relevant experience in commercialization, research, product development, business development, innovation, or technology transfer. Relevant coursework, academic projects, internships, or student employment may demonstrate foundational skills.

Preferred

• Experience Coursework, academic research, or project exposure related to scientific discovery, entrepreneurship, or technology commercialization. An advanced degree is not required.

JOB DUTIES

• Support senior commercialization staff in day-to-day communication with assigned faculty and research groups, including meeting preparation and follow-up.
• Assist with invention disclosure intake, check submissions for completeness, and request missing information using established procedures.
• Conduct guided scientific literature and market research; summarize potential applications, competing technologies, and preliminary commercial opportunities for senior review.
• Collect information on funding, inventor affiliations, outside collaborators, and related agreements. Flag possible ownership, reporting, or revenue sharing obligations for senior assessment.
• Assist with commercialization plans by researching licensing, startup and funding pathways and completing tasks assigned by the responsible senior staff member.
• Prepare draft technology summaries, internal review materials, and presentations. Obtain appropriate review before external use.
• Work with Business Development to identify potential licensees and company contacts, prepare approved outreach materials, and document responses.
• Provide routine status updates and explain established processes using approved guidance. Communicate respectfully and refer sensitive concerns or substantive strategy questions to senior staff.
• Participate in licensing and collaboration discussions as assigned, document proposed terms and action items, and prepare follow-up materials for review.
• Maintain accurate invention and opportunity records, track assigned tasks and deadlines, and promptly raise delays, missing information, or concerns with the supervisor.
• Coordinate routine information requests and handoffs with IP/Operations, Finance, Compliance, Innovation Hub, and Business Development under established procedures.
• Work with Finance and accounting staff collect records needed to track license revenue, sponsored research funding, and related obligations; refer interpretation and allocation questions to responsible staff.
• Support startup assistance and innovation or entrepreneurship events through assigned research, materials preparation, coordination, and follow-up.
• Complete training, apply feedback, and take on additional defined assignments as proficiency is demonstrated and the supervisor authorizes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary Information

Salary is commensurate with education, skills, and relevant experience.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.