Director of CAHNRS Intellectual Property (IP) Commercialization

Washington State University • Pullman, WA

9d

About The Position

As the Director of CAHNRS Intellectual Property (IP) Commercialization, you are responsible for conducting technology transfer activities that arise from research within the Washington State University (WSU) College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). You evaluate and manage inventive research within CAHNRS and lead strategic planning and project management in coordination with administrative personnel to support long‑term value creation. In this role, you serve as a key liaison between the WSU Office of Research and CAHNRS administration, faculty, and students, ensuring that commercialization strategies align with the college’s priorities. Key activities include: Interfacing with commodity commissions as a primary function to align intellectual property (IP) deployment with industry needs. Building consensus among internal and external stakeholders regarding which IP assets should be prioritized and how they should be deployed to relevant industries. Collaborating with faculty for technology evaluation and commercialization opportunities. Supporting the Office of Research in option and license agreements, while ensuring contractual and procedural compliance. Coordinating royalty collection and management, product development, and brand management in partnership with external entities marketing WSU IP. These activities are conducted under the direction of the Associate Dean for Research, College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences

Requirements

• Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and six (6) years experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified within the project specialty (Intellectual Property).
• A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience using the Microsoft Office suite is required, as is fluency using Zoom and other videoconferencing platforms.

Nice To Haves

• A PhD or JD.
• Experience in a role that was a primary interface with third party stakeholders, preference given to experience with stakeholders such as commodity commissions or similar groups.
• Experience building consensus among diverse groups representing diverse interests.
• Experience in a research development and support role.
• Experience with handling intellectual property, especially in the academic technology transfer setting.
• Experience supporting active research faculty, staff, and students.
• Experience developing and delivering outreach and educational materials.
• Experience protecting, and licensing new plant varieties.
• Demonstrates a highly proficient communication style, verbally and in writing.
• Experience in marketing new products and/or services.
• Experience in customer service.
• Experience working with commodity commissions or other similar industry stakeholder groups.
• Experience utilizing Inteum Minuet, and/or Wellspring Sophia, for the management of IP and licenses.

Responsibilities

• Interfacing with commodity commissions as a primary function to align intellectual property (IP) deployment with industry needs.
• Building consensus among internal and external stakeholders regarding which IP assets should be prioritized and how they should be deployed to relevant industries.
• Collaborating with faculty for technology evaluation and commercialization opportunities.
• Supporting the Office of Research in option and license agreements, while ensuring contractual and procedural compliance.
• Coordinating royalty collection and management, product development, and brand management in partnership with external entities marketing WSU IP.

Benefits

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director