THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND                   Class Code:....0834

                                                                      Position Description 

position is limited to 6/30/09 with extension contingent on funding            

TITLE:                          Assistant Vice President, Research/Intellectual Property Management & Commercialization 

DIVISION:                  Research and Economic Development 

REPORTS TO:           Vice President, Research and Economic Development 

GRADE:                       18 

SUPERVISES:             Professional, technical, administrative, and clerical support staff 

BASIC FUNCTION: 

Responsible for the development of faculty entrepreneurship as it relates to commercialization of the University’s research activities and the management of the University’s intellectual property.  Serve as Executive Director of the URI Research Foundation, including valuation, market analysis, commercialization of protected intellectual property, and the development of business relationships with corporate and government sectors.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Serve as a member of the senior leadership team of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. 

Assist the Vice President for Research and Economic Development in crafting the long-term vision and strategic plan for the Division of Research and Economic Development as set forth in the Institution’s Strategic Plan 2006-2009. 

Manage and direct the University’s Technology Transfer Office. 

Advise faculty on matters related to entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and commercialization. 

Assist faculty on matters related to the development and processes involved in invention disclosure, patenting, and licensing of technologies and other works that may have commercial potential. 

Draft, negotiate and execute license, research, and material transfer agreements. 

Serve as ex-officio member to the University’s Council for Research and the University’s Intellectual Property Committee. 

Oversee operational management of the URI Research Foundation.

Assist the Vice President for Research and Economic Development in the formulation of strategies to promote regional economic development through intellectual property transfer. 

Perform valuation, market analysis, and commercialization of protected intellectual property. 

Develop business partnerships with corporate, government, and private sectors. 

Engage in fundraising. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Assist the Vice President for Research and Economic development on other matters as required. 

LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT: 

Personal computers, printers; word processing, database management and spreadsheet software. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: 

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required:  An advanced degree in a science; minimum of five years of experience in an executive/managerial role that includes fiscal planning and budgeting; substantial experience demonstrating responsibilities in the strategic management and commercialization of intellectual property in academic and industrial settings, with preference given to experience in life sciences and engineering research; comprehensive understanding of intellectual property protection and licensing within university and private industry settings; proven track record of strong technical knowledge in research and intellectual property, entrepreneurship, leadership, flexibility, and responsiveness; strong oral and written skills, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to work on multiple, complex transactions; demonstrated experience in drafting and negotiating licenses and research agreements, in evaluating markets for commercialization, in identifying potential licenses, and in implementing strategies to promote economic development through intellectual property transfer; general knowledge of state, federal, and private sector procedures and policies that bear on commercialization of university-generated intellectual property.  Preferred:  USPTO registration; understanding of the key needs of corporations, faculty researchers, and other customers of a research foundation; demonstrated experience in operations and/or financial management of a non-profit foundation, including adherence to state and federal compliance regulations; previous experience showing successful private and public fundraising for programs and projects.

TO APPLY:

Submit (no emails or faxes, please) a resume and cover letter postmarked by 05-23-08 to:

Salary Range: $69,442-$138,521
Brett L. Lucht, Search Chair
Requisition # 12145
University of Rhode Island
PO Box G
Kingston, RI 02881

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.