Job vacancy at WIT

Job title: Technology Transfer Case Manager (ICT Specialist)

Vacancy closed

Background

Waterford Institute of Technology is currently undergoing significant expansion of its research programme in a number of key strategic areas, including ICT, telecommunications software, pharmaceutical & molecular biotechnology, environmental sciences, materials and business. The level of research being commercialised through licensing, joint ventures or start up enterprise has significantly increased. In 2007 WIT won the Enterprise Ireland Informatics Commercialisation Award.

The Industry Liaison Office is responsible for research management and support, technology transfer including IP capture and protection, marketing of IP, post contract commercialisation of research outputs, negotiation and development of partnerships with industry, and other stakeholders. Following a recent award of funding as part of Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Transfer Strengthening Programme, applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the newly created position of Technology Transfer Case Manager in WIT. We seek a dynamic and highly motivated individual with a business sense who will drive and develop the Institute’s technology transfer activities.

Reporting to the Industry Services Manager, responsibilities will include:

• Establish a high level of understanding of WIT’s research interests and accomplishments
• Promote awareness of and educate WIT’s research community on issues related to intellectual property protection and technology transfer
• Implement and develop policies, procedures and systems ensuring institutional best practice in relation to intellectual property management and technology transfer
• Evaluate WIT’s technologies for commercial/ licensing potential. The person in this position will be expected to have a good understanding of patent law and the knowledge and experience to recognise inventions that have commercial applications.
• Develop and execute strategies for the commercialisation of technologies and actively market technologies to industry. The candidate would be expected to identify the commercial application of the invention, determine licensing strategy, prepare written non-confidential descriptions, and attend conferences, seminars and exhibitions to promote WIT’s technologies and identify and contact commercial partners.
• Negotiate options, licenses, Campus Company and collaborate research agreements
• Work with inventors to develop business plans for spin-outs
• Liaise with Enterprise Ireland, patent agents and other external professional as necessary relating to patents and commercialisation activities

Requirements for Post

Candidates will have a masters level degree in ICT, software engineering or related areas, followed by further postgraduate training, demonstrated research experience and/or industrial experience. An understanding of commercial issues of software based technologies is essential and a postgraduate business degree is also highly desirable. 

Candidates should have proven experience in negotiating intellectual property (IP) agreements and IP-related terms in contracts. Experience in patenting, licensing and/or in the formation of spin-out / start-up companies is essential. Interaction with funding agencies and venture capital companies is desirable. Candidates should be experienced at negotiations and demonstrate an ability to interact with industry and the academic community alike. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate an ability to manage many projects and competing priorities within a timeframe and with great attention to detail.

Supported by the Enterprise Ireland Technology Transfer Strengthening Programme, a contract will be offered for a period of 4 years. Reporting to the Industry Liaison Manager this is a senior post in the Office of the Head of Research & Innovation.  

Salary Scale

The salary for this post will commence at approximately €85,000.

How to apply

Please download the following application form and return the completed form with a CV to the Human Resources Office by the closing date.

Application form
(MS Word, 105KB)

The Human Resources Office,
Waterford Institute of Technology,
Waterford.
Telephone: (353) 51 845519
Fax: (353) 51 302663
Email: recruitment@wit.ie

Waterford Institute of Technology is an equal opportunities employer.

Further Information

Prospective candidates who may wish to discuss this post in greater detail, informally and in confidence, may do so by contacting Kathryn Kiely, WIT Industry Services Manager, at kkiely@wit.ie or tel: 353 (0)51 302034.

Vacancy closed

Candidates may be shortlisted for interview based on the information provided.