Industry Contracts Officer

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Industry Contracts Officer (ICO) is an experienced intellectual property, technology licensing, and transfer professional in UCSF’s Industry Contracts Division (ICD), within the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR). The ICD negotiates and signs industry research contracts between UCSF and industry sponsors, including clinical trial agreements, material transfer agreements, sponsored research agreements, grants, data transfer use agreements, business associate agreements, fellowships, and confidentiality agreements. The ICO reviews, negotiates, and executes industry-sponsored research agreements. The role determines the nature and scope of relationships between UCSF investigators and industry sponsors, assesses potential downstream intellectual property, and develops research-project business terms. The officer also develops subject-matter expertise, contributes to problem-solving and strategy and policy development in areas of expertise, and collaborates with ICD leadership, campus units, and UCOP as appropriate. The position may lead cross-functional teams handling complex alliances or transactions. The OSR provides comprehensive pre-award services to UCSF researchers and is responsible for campus pre-award grant activity. It is described as a $23 million operation with eleven shared-service teams supporting more than 2,000 faculty.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related area and at least five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Thorough knowledge and application of standard principles, theories, concepts, and techniques relating to laws, regulations, intellectual property protection and management, university technology transfer, and relevant scientific or technical subject matter.
Ability to interpret and clearly articulate institutional principles, intellectual property laws, complex concepts, regulations, and policies.
Ability to understand the varying objectives and needs of faculty and industry sponsors.
Knowledge of generally accepted contracting and subcontracting practices.
Ability to analyze complex technical data using logic and quantitative reasoning.
Ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems while respecting the policies and needs of each party.
Management and professional experience, business acumen, judgment, and integrity sufficient to serve faculty and sponsors while protecting and advancing the university’s interests.
Ability to rapidly review and accurately analyze complex contracts and other legal documents.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Experience drafting and negotiating contracts and a wide variety of research-related agreements.
Ability to prioritize, adapt, work independently and as part of a team, work with varied personalities, and provide quality customer service.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of technical and legal issues affecting the protection, use, and exploitation of intellectual property.
Knowledge of the legal distinctions between gifts, grants, and contracts, and ability to explain those distinctions to faculty, staff, and industry sponsors.
Understanding of the mission of a major research and teaching university with a hospital or medical enterprise, and of the principles underlying academic research.
Knowledge of higher-education policies and practices for managing research activities and industry relationships, including facilities use, conflicts of interest, regulatory compliance, stewardship, intellectual property management, and liability and risk analysis.
Knowledge of copyright and patent law.
Prior university experience.
Experience with related contract issues, such as intellectual property, indemnification or liability, confidentiality, and publication.
Experience in the research environment at UCSF or another major university.
Advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Advise on intellectual property clauses, contracts, and agreements in complex sponsored and collaborative research agreements.
Negotiate, approve, and execute contracts and agreements involving industry, including complex material testing and transfer agreements.
Negotiate material testing and transfer agreements.
Conduct training for faculty on intellectual property and technology transfer policies and procedures.
Gather, analyze, prepare, and provide input on policy exceptions.
Conduct business development activities with industry sponsors, faculty, and the university.
Determine the nature and scope of relationships between UCSF investigators and industry sponsors, assess potential downstream intellectual property, and develop research-project business terms.
Develop subject-matter expertise and participate in problem-solving and the formulation of strategies and policies in areas of expertise.
Collaborate with ICD leadership, campus units, and UCOP as appropriate.
Potentially lead cross-functional teams of professionals in complex alliances or transactions.