Associate Industry Contract Officer

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

This role involves advising on intellectual property (IP) rights protection, business startup, and other technology transfer related issues. The officer will evaluate the commercial potential of research results, obtain and manage IP rights protection, market inventions and software, and/or biological/tangible materials. Responsibilities include drafting, negotiating, and managing IP licenses, Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and advising on IP terms in research and collaboration agreements. The position supports companies wishing to sponsor research and/or license technologies, and facilitates the administration of federal and state laws regarding research, conflict of interest, IP, contracts, and employment. The role also involves working with outside patent attorneys to file patent applications. The incumbent will draft, negotiate, and administer primarily MTAs and NDAs, and as needed, may also negotiate and administer Data Transfer Agreements, Equipment Loan Agreements, Clinical Service Agreements, Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs), sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, and other industry-related research agreements. The position supports companies wishing to sponsor research and facilitates compliance and administration of federal and state laws. The role addresses problems of moderate scope requiring analysis of situations or data and review of various factors. Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level officer, involving some interpretation of established work policies and procedures, and at times, deviation from standard work practices may be needed. The Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) advocates for all researchers at UCSF, providing comprehensive pre-award services. The OSR is a $23M operation comprising eleven shared service teams, including 151 Proposal and Grants Specialists and Officers, Contract and Award Specialists and Officers, Associates, and Assistant Team Managers and Team Managers, supporting over 2000 faculty and responsible for all pre-award grant activity for the campus.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related area.
Skill in analyzing information and objectives to define problems, ability to identify relevant issues or concerns, formulate alternatives to affect resolution, and select alternative resolutions having evaluated risk benefit.
Ability to interpret the varying objectives and needs of investigators and sponsors in order to provide advice on appropriate mechanism for support.
Demonstrated customer service skills in a fast-paced, high-volume, dynamic and intellectually challenging work environment.
Sensitivity to sponsor and investigator confidentiality.
Ability to prioritize diverse projects and exceptional time management skills.
Ability to be flexible and to work with various personalities.
Ability to work independently yet know when to ask questions.
Team player open to suggestions and guidance.
Exceptional inter-personal and communication skills; oral and written.
Good decision-making skills.
Business development and/or contracts experience, including drafting and negotiating agreements.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Working knowledge of and application of standard principles, theories and concepts such as laws, regulations, and practices pertaining to the protection and management of intellectual property, university technology transfer, and general scientific and / or technical skills in subject matter area.
Knowledge of intellectual property law.
Knowledge of UC policies and practices with regards to industry relations.
Prior work experience in industry, preferably in the biotech, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or technology industries.
Preferably experience in negotiating and/or managing one or more of the following - clinical trial agreements, industry collaboration agreements, industry-sponsored research agreements and/or material transfer agreements, with special attention to intellectual property issues including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and software administration and licensing.
Prior University research administration experience.

Responsibilities

Draft and negotiate primarily Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), consistent with current divisional workload assignments, applying intellectual property, risk management, regulatory compliance, and University policies and principles.
As needed, negotiate and administer Data Transfer Agreements, Equipment Loan Agreements, Clinical Service Agreements, Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs), sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, and other industry-related research agreements.
Under general supervision, assist with conducting legal and/or policy analysis and recommend exceptions to policy and advise researchers on basic contracts and agreements in sponsored and collaborative research agreements including intellectual property clauses.
Attend meetings, conferences, events, etc. as needed.
Develop, implement and maintain industry contacts database.
Develop and implement public relations and marketing tools to achieve ICD goals.
Meet regularly with UCSF faculty and researchers to understand UCSF research projects.
Special Projects as Needed.
Train and educate campus about Industry Sponsored Agreements – Policies, Practices, etc and how to work with industry.
Develop presentations.