Description
We have two open positions - one serving the Southern Wisconsin Region (UW-La Crosse, UW-Platteville, UW-Parkside and UW-Whitewater) and the other serving the Western Wisconsin Region (UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and UW- Superior).
Ideally, this individual’s primary office would be in the region they serve, and they will visit their four regional campuses on a regular basis. Occasional travel to WiSys’ headquarters located in Madison, Wisconsin will also be required. We are open to flexible and hybrid work arrangements.
Key responsibilities include
- Identifying the potential economic and commercialization value of innovator projects through evaluating the benefits of new scientific technologies, analyzing the financial potential of new scientific and technical innovations, and presenting a compelling business proposition to companies or supporting/recognizing opportunities for new ventures.
- Educating university faculty, staff, and students about IP Law, technical licensing, and WiSys innovation programs including developing seminars, communicating agreement and funding guidelines, and process to advance research projects.
- Supporting the WiSys VentureHome, WiSys Research Development, and Wisconsin Forward Agriculture programs to develop Use-Inspired research, translation of technologies, and startup activity across Wisconsin.
- Collaborating with Universities of Wisconsin offices of sponsored programs to identify faculty, staff, students and projects with potential for WiSys-supported technology commercialization.
- Evaluating, negotiating and drafting cooperative research and development agreements between businesses with university research personnel to support entrepreneurship and innovation within the Wisconsin economy.
- Organizing and supporting new student innovation programs on campus.
- Supervising student ambassadors to support WiSys programs and activities on campus.
- Negotiating and drafting legal terms within confidentiality, material transfer, standstill, option, and licensing agreements to support technology transfer.
WiSys helps researchers and innovators from the statewide 11 four-year comprehensive and polytechnic campuses identify innovative technologies and bring them to the marketplace. To achieve this, last year WiSys awarded over $800,000 in grant funds across the Universities of Wisconsin. This led to over 50 innovations disclosed to WiSys and 4 patents issued. WiSys also hosts the VentureHome network which provides entrepreneurs access to startup resources across the state. Annually, WiSys coordinates several annual events geared toward innovation, research, and enhancing the student experience. To learn more about WiSys, please visit http://wisys.org/
Requirements
We are seeking candidates with the proven ability to converse with university researchers and non-scientific staff on scientific and technical matters in a variety of disciplines; expertise in evaluating, analyzing and recommending research projects and business plans; and strong presentation, networking, and facilitation skills. Experience in a scientific/academic environment or with technology commercialization, licensing, contracts or new ventures is preferred. A bachelor’s degree in a scientific, technical or legal field is required. An advanced technical, law, or business degree or equivalent experience is advantageous. Travel is required.
To Apply: Individuals interested in this opportunity are required to apply via our website: https://www.wisys.org/about-us/careers
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the employment process. If you need to request accommodations, please contact Human Resources at 608-960-9840.
WiSys supports and promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and offers competitive salary and benefits, including paid on-site parking and bus passes, comprehensive medical and dental health benefits, domestic partner benefits, generous paid time off package, including time off to volunteer, employer-funded defined contribution retirement plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance policy, and employee assistance and wellness programs.
