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SENIOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ASSOCIATE

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, MI’s vibrant Medical Mile. In our short 22-year existence, we have grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 450 scientists, educators, and staff. We are an agile institute known for breaking down barriers that hold innovation captive.

Collaboration is one of VAI’s founding principles. We employ a highly interactive group of investigators, and the open environment of the Institute’s building promotes informal and spontaneous collaborations.  Additionally, the Institute maintains numerous ongoing local, regional, national, and international partnerships with researchers and clinicians.

That is where you come in. We are hiring a SENIOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ASSOCIATE.  

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

In this role, you’ll be responsible for the strategic development, negotiation, and execution of agreements between VAI’s research labs and our collaborators, material providers, and licensing partners.

You will be responsible for drafting and negotiating contract terms, providing assessment of marketing position for technology, and developing and maintaining productive relationships with faculty inventors and corporate representatives to build a pipeline of materials and collaborations to support VAI’s research and publishing goals.

Under the supervision of VAI’s Associate General Counsel, you will interact with some of the best scientific minds in the world to handle VAI’s contract negotiation and management needs as they arise within the Institute.   

YOUR FOCUS AND OBJECTIVES:

• Work with existing and suggest improvement to technology transfer agreements and processes in support of the VAI mission.

• Draft, negotiate and manage contracts between VAI and collaborators, material suppliers, actual and potential business/research partners, and licensees (e.g., patent documents, material transfer agreements, and license agreements).

• Collaborate with other technology transfer personnel and sponsored program team to ensure necessary collaboration agreements are in place (e.g., nondisclosure agreements, research collaboration agreements).

• Develop and manage strong relationships with faculty inventors and prospective inventors.

• Evaluate and screen invention disclosures; develop, or assist in developing, and executing marketing strategies and plans; draft business terms for license agreements.

• Interact with outside patent attorneys on legal and intellectual property matters and assist in management of portfolio of technologies with complex histories and issues.

• Work closely with involved investigator(s) when preparing agreements and completing patent prosecution related activity in a timely manner.

• Responsible for negotiating and administering Confidential Disclosure Agreements, conducting the initial review, and obtaining approvals for language changes and final signatures.

• Provide operational support to the Business Development department in the identification, drafting, negotiation, recording and monitoring of agreements.

• Attend training and professional development courses as recommended; participate in conferences and seminars conducted by VAI and/or professional organizations.

WHAT QUALIFIES YOU TO JOIN OUR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER GROUP?

• A Bachelor’s degree, though a Masters or Ph.D. would be desired, in any of the following disciplines: Business, Biology, Biochemistry, Public Administration.
• A minimum of five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in life or biological science, medicine or a related technical field experience in the management and development of contract terms commonly included in inter-institutional agreements, technology licenses, material transfer agreements, confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements. At least five (5) years of leadership and project managerial experience.
• Strong project management skills.

YOU SHOULD ALSO BE A PERSON WITH THE FOLLOWING TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

• Highly motivated individual, strong performer and dedicated.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Problem solving and resolution, research acumen and analytical skills.
• Detail oriented and customer service oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively and confidentially with difficult situations and with individuals at all organizational levels.

WHAT YOU WILL GET WHEN YOU WORK HERE:

All full-time employees of Van Andel Institute are eligible for benefits, effective day one! In addition, you can enjoy the onsite café, various social events, and paid parking.

We also will offer a very competitive salary, and this will be based on your experience and skills.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU? LET’S BEGIN THE CONVERSATION!

Apply by providing your resume. A cover letter is not mandatory, but is very welcome, as we’d love to understand a little bit better why you are interested in joining VAI.

If we feel you could be THE ONE, we'll call you pretty much immediately (because we move fast). If our feeling after this conversation can be described as 'excited' we will invite you to VAI to continue to explore this potential relationship.

This role is very important to us, so you can expect a second visit to VAI where you will meet other members of our team as well.  

This position will be open until filled and we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. If you have any difficulty uploading your application or any questions, please email Eric Miller at eric.miller@vai.org. 

VAI IS ACTIVELY STRIVING TO DIVERSIFY ITS WORKFORCE AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS TO APPLY. VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE IS AN EEO AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Required Skills Required Experience

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work a retail schedule that includes nights, weekends and holidays.
• Interior design or sales experience/knowledge a plus but not required.
• Physically able to be on your feet and move throughout our showrooms over an 8-12 hour work day.
• Ability to maintain emotional composure in a professional business setting with customers, peers and management.
• Strong work ethic and dependability a must
• General computer proficiency
• Professional dress required