Job Details

A 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.

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. 

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.

       

       

2. 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.