Licensing and Business Development Associate - Physical Sciences

Who We Want:

Licensing and Business Development Associate – Physical Sciences

Skysong Innovations (SI), one of five non-profit entities that makes up ASU Enterprise Partners, is seeking a Licensing and Business Development Associate. The Licensing and Business Development Associate position is an exciting full-time position within the Physical Sciences Team at Skysong Innovations. Skysong Innovations is the exclusive provider of technology transfer and intellectual property (IP) management services to Arizona State University (ASU). The Licensing and Business Development Associate will join an accomplished technology transfer office in its mission to advance ASU innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace for the good of society. For more information about Skysong Innovations, its mission, and its team, please visit www.skysonginnovations.com.

The Licensing and Business Development Associate will be responsible for assisting the Physical Sciences Team in identifying, evaluating, protecting, marketing, and commercializing innovations created at ASU, a top-tier research institution that annually conducts more than $650 million in research. The Licensing and Business Development Associate will work closely with the Director of Licensing and Business Development on removing impediments associated with the licensure of university technologies while ensuring a fair return for the university. The Licensing and Business Development Associate will also promote the formation of ASU startup companies and communicate business and technical insights to the Physical Sciences Team and ASU researchers when appropriate.

What you’ll do:

• Design and propose initial term sheets for licensing deals based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to established licensing norms and internal/external market comparables
• Draft licensing agreements using established templates and approved language while working closely with the Director of Licensing and Business Development and Skysong Innovations’ in-house legal counsel
• Support and may lead full-cycle licensing negotiations from term sheet to definitive agreement in partnership with the Director of Licensing and Business Development and Skysong Innovations’ in-house legal counsel
• Evaluate and discuss sophisticated and often cutting-edge technologies on a regular basis
• Facilitate and may lead marketing efforts to potential licensees and/or venture development firms via email, phone, and face-to-face interactions
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with faculty, which includes encouraging faculty to disclose ASU-generated intellectual property and to participate in aspects of the commercialization process
• Provide the Physical Sciences Team with business and technical insights concerning technologies and possible commercialization opportunities and pathways, particularly in the context of licensing deals and key decisions arising in associated patent prosecution timelines
• Remain knowledgeable regarding best practices within the patents/licensing agreements space
• Support colleagues in ongoing compliance activities related to active agreements
• Serve as a helpful partner to connect various stakeholders within the university ecosystem
• Maintain up-to-date project statuses via internal database to ensure accurate tracking and reporting
• Reports on and raises issues for discussions regarding negotiations and deals during recurring licensing meeting led by the Director of Licensing and Business Development
• Make and deliver presentations to faculty, industry, university leadership, and boards
• Responsible for training and supervising interns and/or student workers; provide mentorship and learning opportunities as needed
• Other duties as assigned

What you’ll need:

• Ability and eagerness to learn how to successfully draft, negotiate, and close licensing agreements
• Ability to work productively with inventors, administrators, and investors in an academic environment
• High level of empathy and situational awareness—capable of independently interacting and building positive relationships with a variety of sophisticated stakeholders, including senior faculty, university executives and administrators, investors, entrepreneurs, technology executives, and community leaders
• Familiarity with the basic concepts of intellectual property law—particularly patent law
• Ability to recognize circumstances that require escalation and additional discussions with the Director of Licensing and Business Development, Skysong Innovations’ in-house legal team, and/or other Skysong Innovations colleagues
• Highly motivated and self-driven professional
• Ability to continuously educate oneself about new technologies
• Ability to represent the institution well and to enthusiastically serve as an emissary for ASU
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies
• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment
• Ability to maintain a high-degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Skysong Innovations (SI), ASU Enterprise Partners, and University business and confidential information
• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone with faculty, researchers, administrators and industry
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible
• Ability to represent and promote SI and ASU
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans
• An advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

Relevant qualifications:

Technical degree (Master’s or PhD preferred) in a physical-science or engineering discipline, with a demonstrable understanding of semiconductors and microelectronics preferred. A minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience required; familiarity with drafting, negotiating, and closing licensing agreements a plus.

The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in a physical-science or engineering discipline with an emphasis on semiconductors and microelectronics.

Mental demands:

High attention to detail is paramount. Clarity of focus while juggling complex projects or deadlines.

Working conditions:

Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work. Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds. Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts. May be required to perform tasks in the field within and/or across University campuses. Ability to clearly communicate verbally, read, write, see and hear to perform essential functions. This position may require some early mornings and evenings to accommodate meetings and events. This position currently requires you to work from the office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with Monday and Friday optional remote days.

ASUEP follows federal guidance which requires employees of federal contractors to be fully vaccinated ​for COVID-19, except in limited circumstances in which an employee is legally entitled to an accommodation for medical or religious reasons.

Working equipment:

This position will require a computer and mobile communication device ($30 bi-weekly payroll reimbursement)..

Contact us today.

For more information on ASU Enterprise Partners, visit our web site at www.asuenterprisepartners.org.

ASU Enterprise Partners and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer that is firmly committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within our organization and throughout our sphere of influence. Because we embrace a spirit of innovation and achievement, we will endeavor to maximize the talent and potential of all employees, directors, and volunteers through bold and strategic action aimed at building success and a sense of belonging. All employees are expected to act in good faith to support these actions and to not impede the efforts of others to build a just, equitable, diverse and inclusive organization.

ASU Enterprise Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer