WAVE Ventures Collaboration Director / Associate Director of Licensing

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan is seeking a full-time Associate Director of Licensing to lead the WAVE Ventures Collaboration and manage a portfolio of university innovations. You will work closely with faculty, investors, and industry partners to commercialize IP and structure licensing arrangements.

The role requires strong negotiation, IP knowledge, and the ability to align academic research with market opportunities, while coordinating with WAVE Ventures and internal teams to accelerate startup

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is required.
• Experience in academic research commercialization, startups, venture funds, or related industry settings.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively across academic and corporate cultures; interact with scientists, sponsors, industry partners, and investors.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team, and to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Interest or experience in negotiations, contracts, and new technology commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Engage with faculty, researchers, and industry partners to identify licensing opportunities.
• Lead due diligence and IP evaluation for invention disclosures and commercial potential.
• Assist in drafting, negotiating licenses, NDAs, and related agreements.
• Collaborate with WAVE Ventures and internal teams to build relationships and advance collaboration.
• Develop and implement licensing and marketing strategies to maximize commercialization of university IP.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Negotiation

Contract knowledge

Intellectual property

Licensing

Project management

Detail oriented

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Master's degree or higher (MBA/JD preferred)

Job description

# WAVE Ventures Collaboration Director / Associate Director of LicensingUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MIFull-TimeSep 22, 2026Science## Job Description## How to ApplyA cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.## Who We Are**About University of Michigan**U-M is one of the world's most powerful engines for scholarly research, service, and impact. Sustaining and supporting U-M's robust research enterprise is vital for maximizing innovation and economic growth. As a service and resource for researchers interested in commercialization of technologies and research discoveries, Innovation Partnerships is a unit of the Office of Research that plays a central role in helping to ensure that society realizes the benefits of the research conducted at U-M. Innovation Partnerships enhances research discoveries to encourage licensing and broad deployment with existing businesses and newly-formed U-M startups. Innovation Partnerships has earned a reputation for performance among the top 10 of all universities through providing responsive, professional service to our inventors, industry partners and ecosystem collaborators.**About WAVE Ventures**At WAVE Ventures, we partner with visionary researchers and executive teams at the forefront of innovation, providing not only capital, but also hands-on strategic guidance to accelerate transformative research into market-defining solutions. From the lab bench to global scale, we empower teams with the clarity, confidence, and connections they need to navigate every phase of growth. Together with engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs, we build products, create business models, recruit teams, align companies with their first customers, and provide initial funding. We have developed a successful, systematic approach for validating, launching, and scaling great IP-backed ventures.## Job Summary**Summary/Objective**:The University of Michigan (U-M) is seeking a full-time Associate Director of Licensing to serve as the WAVE Ventures Collaboration Director to manage a portfolio of innovations and manage U-M's collaboration with WAVE Ventures, a venture capital firm that is establishing a venture studio to build startups around university intellectual property. This position requires extensive interaction with faculty, students, staff, attorneys, potential licensees, early-stage investors and will report to the Director of Physical Sciences Licensing. In addition, this candidate will work with the Partners of WAVE Ventures and the leadership of the WAVE Ventures Studio at U-M.This position may be filled at the working title of Associate Director of Licensing or Assistant Director of Licensing, depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.## Responsibilities\\***Essential Functions**:1. **RELATIONAL/ MARKET LIAISON** 1. Work with other members of the U-M Innovation Partnerships team to further the goals and objectives of research commercialization at U-M. 2. Collaborate with WAVE Ventures to facilitate new company creation; negotiate licenses with new startups. 3. Interface with U-M entrepreneurship programs and the greater startup community. 4. In collaboration with U-M's ventures team, interact with investors (angel, VC, CVC, PE) that could co-invest with WAVE Ventures and add insights to the startups in the venture studio. 5. Partner closely with studio product and design teams on technology development and product-market fit. 6. Forge strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders, research institutions, and potential customers to accelerate market entry for new ventures. 7. Market innovations for potential licensing partnerships. 8. Organize stakeholder engagement events and represent U-M's collaboration with the WAVE Ventures studio at key ecosystem activities. 9. **LICENSING** 1. Evaluate invention disclosures for IP strength, commercial viability and societal impact. 2. Source and facilitate meetings with subject matter experts -including researchers- to complete due diligence. 3. Counsel U-M researchers on identifying value propositions and appropriate technology development strategies. 4. Oversee the implementation of appropriate intellectual property strategy; and, where applicable, oversee the filing and management of patent applications. 5. Assist in negotiations, drafts, and implementation of licenses, options, non-disclosures, and other partnership agreements. 6. Assist with marketing and licensing strategies that maximize technology commercialization. 7. Help to establish the U-M-WAVE Ventures collaboration as a leading model in the deep tech ecosystem, collaborating with U-M colleagues and WAVE Ventures personnel to build relationships with key stakeholders and partners. 8. **PERSONAL SKILLS / ATTRIBUTES** 1. Able to distill complex scientific concepts and data into actionable information. 2. Strong sense of urgency and self-motivation, with the ability to multitask and meet critical deadlines. 3. Patient and flexible in fast moving environments. 4. High integrity, advanced emotional intelligence and skilled and navigating complex organizations. 5. Comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels with respect and confidentiality. ## Required Qualifications\\* **Required Education & Experience**: Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline; experience in academic research commercialization, a startup, venture fund, or relevant industry setting; excellent interpersonal skills; written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact effectively in both academic and corporate cultures; ability to interact with scientists, research sponsors, industry representatives, early-stage investors, and attorneys; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment; ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines; interest or experience in negotiations, contracts, and new technology commercialization; detail oriented with ability to work on multiple projects at the same time. ## Desired Qualifications\\* **Desired Qualifications** Master's degree, MBA, J.D., or other graduate degree desired; at least five years' experience in successfully commercializing technology in an academic technology transfer office or in industry; background in Venture Capital/PE a plus; experience with bringing to market particular types of scientific innovations; business experience in negotiations, contracts, and new technology commercialization; highly self-motivated professional with exceptional sales, marketing and negotiating skills; experience in evaluating the commercial potential of early stage technology, and to effectively communicate the commercialization vision; knowledge of intellectual property law and licensing practices; high degree of energy and enthusiasm, and desire to function as an integral part of a joyous workplace. Applicants with demonstrated interest and experience in these scientific disciplines will be considered - including Engineering, Therapeutics, Vertical AI, Cybersecurity, Aerospace, Defense, Health Tech, Life Sciences, Material Science, Autonomous Systems, Energy and Mobility. ## Modes of Work Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes. ## Additional Information **Underfill Statement** This position may be filled at the working title of Associate Director of Licensing or Assistant Director of Licensing, depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. ## Background Screening The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. ## Application Deadline Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. ## U-M EEO Statement The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.