Associate Director of Technology Licensing

Company and Department Overview
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has an outstanding track record of world-class research and innovation, leading to major scientific advances and ground-breaking new inventions in our mission to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Sometimes, discoveries are made that could be beneficial outside of that mission, and can represent significant opportunities for commercial development.

The Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) patents inventions with commercial potential and offers them to industry for license. Our goal is to encourage the use of our inventions for the development of products that can be used by researchers and clinicians all over the world, thus benefiting the maximum number of patients. The OTL oversees the patenting and licensing of technologies developed by the faculty and staff of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in order to promote development of drugs, diagnostic assays and other products of benefit to the public. Additionally, the OTL is responsible for negotiating and authorizing the transfer of research materials into and out of St. Jude. Companies and research investigators from outside of St. Jude are welcome to contact the OTL regarding St. Jude's standard terms and policies for technology transfer. The OTL is the only party authorized to negotiate and finalize these agreements on behalf of St. Jude.

Position Overview
The Associate Director of Technology Licensing will assist the Director of Technology Licensing in ensuring efficient operations of the department, and serve as an institutional resource in patent and licensing matters. The Associate Director has the primary responsibility, along with the Director, for oversight of patent prosecution and for successful transfer of Hospital technology through license agreements with the private sector. Maintenance of database, communication with scientists, and a clear understanding of complex legal contracts are components of this job. Did you know that St. Jude played a role in the first approved chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and the first approved gene therapies for treating hemophilia A and B? If you would like to be a part of the team that helped to make these and other technology transfer successes happen, then this may be the position for you.

This position may be eligible for the possibility of remote work.

Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as an institutional resource for technology licensing matters. Assist Director of Technology Licensing in ensuring efficient operation of department.
• Negotiate and draft complex agreements including inter-institutional collaborations clinical trial option license and sponsored research agreements to disseminate and protect SJCRH intellectual property: Interact with SJCRH investigators, Interact with outside academic and industry representatives.
• Identify evaluate promote and manage licensing opportunities for SJCRH inventions including: assess commercial potential of inventions, develop marketing strategies, perform business analysis, and contact potential licensees and respond to inquiries from companies seeking to license technologies. Monitor current license agreements for compliance with terms.
• Oversee prosecution of patent families assigned by the Director. Participate in prosecution of internally filed patent applications.
• Advise and educate investigators on intellectual property policies and industry relations: Explain/interpret SJCRH policies and procedures, assume full responsibility for postdoctoral entrance and exit interviews.
• Maintain a knowledge base of institution s research activities by attending departmental and faculty seminars.
• Represent SJCRH in outside community and state activities relating to technology transfer.
• Perform other related duties to meet the goals and objectives of the department.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's Degree in a scientific discipline or business required.
• Advanced (Master's or JD) degree in scientific discipline, law or business preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Ten (10) years experience in industry or academic setting required with Bachelor's degree.
• Eight (8) years experience in industry or academic setting required with Master's degree.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by SJCRH Only:

• (NL) Registration to file and prosecute patents before the U.S. Patent Office preferred.

Compensation

Explore our exceptional benefits!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has a diverse, global patient population and workforce, built on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our founder Danny Thomas envisioned a hospital that would treat children of the world—regardless of race, religion or a family’s ability to pay. Learn more about our history and commitment.

Today, we continue the mission to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. As we accelerate this progress globally, we believe our legacy of diversity, equity and inclusion is foundational to success. With the commitment of leaders at all levels of the organization, we strive to ensure the St. Jude culture, leadership approaches and talent processes are equitable and culturally responsive. View our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report to learn about the hospital’s roots in diversity, equity and inclusion, where we are today and our aspirations for an even better future.

No Search Firms

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.