Technology Transfer Manager

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Position Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Director, Technology Transfer, the Technology Transfer Manager is responsible for knowledge and technology transfer activities related to Life Sciences/Medical innovation and inventions at McGill, primarily to achieve the goals of the “DNA to RNA: An inclusive Canadian approach to RNA therapeutics” program (D2R). D2R is focused on discovering and developing genome-guided, RNA-based precision medicines and associated computational tools, and is supported by a $165M grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). He/she provides outstanding service by focusing on innovation, inventions, licensing, business development/partnership, and entrepreneurship for D2R. The Technology Transfer Manager is also responsible for identifying and evaluating technologies with commercial potential from D2R and preparing development and commercialization plans, pursuing protection of intellectual property, designing, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legal agreements. The goal of this position is to foster interaction between the D2R research community and other industry players and service providers within the RNA ecosystem to develop long-lasting relationships that will bring value to university-generated intellectual property. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assume leadership in the management of inventions arising from D2R research activities, including protection of intellectual property, maturation of the technology, and its valorization through licensing or spinoff creation.
• Meet with D2R researchers, the D2R administrative team and others in the McGill community on a regular basis to provide general information and advice on the commercialization process, inventorship and publication criteria in order to ensure reporting of inventions and foster their success in a commercial environment.
• Identify technologies with commercial potential from the D2R program. Provide early assessment of an invention’s commercial potential and the opportunity to pursue intellectual property protection.
• Monitor a portfolio of on-going reports of invention, patents, licenses and other commercialization-related activities. Manage the intellectual property protection budget for their files.
• Identify potential licensees for the D2R inventions through networking, database searches, and partnership activities and actively promote McGill and the inventions.
• Facilitate the creation of spinoffs by researchers, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows by connecting them to mentors, coaches, and other resources available at or through McGill.
• Contribute to the entrepreneurship knowledge of faculty and students by addressing various topics relevant to spinoffs, such as intellectual property protection, becoming an entrepreneur, financing models, and how to pitch to investors.
• Design, draft, review and negotiate agreements and legal documents, such as inter-institutional agreements, Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), options and licenses for D2R inventions.
• Provide leadership and guidance to D2R researchers on business opportunities with industry including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that could benefit from the university’s D2R research and development capacity and the researchers’ expertise.
• Contribute to the commercial information section in specific grant applications for D2R inventions.
• Monitor national and international economic developments to assess market potential for both identification of funding sources as well as potential corporate launches and market entry strategies. Remain informed as to developments at other competitor institutions regarding commercialization trends and successes.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the D2R administrative team.
• Provide activity and other reports to the Office of Innovation and Partnerships as required.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Knowledge of intellectual property processes, licensing, business development, and entrepreneurship.
• Experience in designing, drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements and other legal documents.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct business development activities leading to license or contract agreements.
• Ability to access a network of industry contacts.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a complex policy and procedure framework.
• Five years of related experience in industry or a university environment.
• Fully bilingual in English and French, both verbal and written.

Connaissance du français et de l’anglais: L’Université McGill est une université de langue anglaise où les tâches quotidiennes peuvent nécessiter une communication verbale et écrite en anglais. Le niveau d’anglais requis pour ce poste a été déterminé comme étant de niveau # 4 sur une échelle de 0-4.»

“Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # 4 on a scale of 0-4.”

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree 5 Years Related Experience /

Annual Salary:

(MPEX Grade 07) $87,090.00 – $108,860.00 – $130,630.00

Hours per Week:

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Assoc Dir Technology Transfer

Position End Date (If applicable):

2025-05-31

Deadline to Apply:

2024-05-28

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.

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