Innovation Associate

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Wake Forest, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position supports multiple, concurrent projects within the Academic Innovations: Operations department at Wake Forest University Health Sciences. The role involves gathering data, interpreting inventions and new technologies, and completing technology assessments to evaluate commercialization potential. The Innovation Associate will engage with researchers, faculty, and staff to identify and evaluate new inventions and business opportunities, guiding the development of commercialization strategies. This role also includes educating innovators on intellectual property and commercialization, managing a portfolio of cases using databases like Sophia, and developing marketing outreach strategies. Additionally, the associate will assist licensing managers with identifying, contacting, and negotiating with potential licensees, and will be responsible for reviewing licensee compliance and drafting agreements for tangible materials. The role also involves reviewing publications for undisclosed innovations, coordinating with leadership on standard operating procedures, identifying funding sources, and assisting with grant applications.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences or a related field.
Minimum of 1 year of related experience.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience may be substituted for the requirements noted.
Ability to function in a fast-paced team environment.
Very strong organizational skills; attention to detail and high-quality work standards; ability to work relatively independently.
Strong analytical and organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
Ability to interact creatively and harmoniously with coworkers and inventors.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and complete projects in a timely manner.
Technical aptitude and experience understanding complex biological and medical technologies.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree in a life science-related field
Experience in technology transfer and/or contracting
Experience in university or federal laboratory technology transfer is a plus.
Relevant industry experience is advantageous.
Excellent communicator and can provide excellent customer support to all stakeholders of a growing healthcare and research enterprise.
Sound decision-making skills and balanced judgment, with the flexibility of thought and style needed to maximize interactions with teammate innovators and commercialization stakeholders.
Dependable team member and can work well within a dynamic, results-oriented group.

Responsibilities

Supports multiple, concurrent projects emanating from units across the enterprise.
Gathers data and interprets inventions and new technologies, completes technology assessments by analyzing the competitive and patent landscape to draw conclusions and/or make recommendations regarding their potential for commercialization.
Engages with innovators including researchers, faculty and staff to identify and evaluate new inventions, innovations and business opportunities and to obtain necessary information to guide development of commercialization strategies within his/her portfolio of cases and assists licensing managers with the same as needed.
Teammate innovator support and education with respect to inventions, intellectual property, commercialization, and Enterprise policies.
Manages assigned portfolio through diligent and accurate use of the appropriate database(s) in use in the Office, for example, Sophia.
Develops and implements marketing outreach strategies for invention disclosures and cases, by writing marketing summaries, and identifying and engaging with potential licensing partners.
Assists licensing managers to identify, initiate contact with and negotiate with potential licensees.
Writes, designs and presents deliverables in a logical, clear and concise manner for various audiences within and outside of the Office and the enterprise, (e.g. senior management, innovators, administration, and others, as necessary).
Coordinates licensing and commercialization activities with other members of the Office of Technology Transfer for Advocate Health as appropriate.
Assists with creating and presenting materials for outreach sessions to help build awareness of opportunities and obligations related to the reporting, protection and licensing of intellectual property.
Reviews and manages licensee compliance and required reporting for portfolio cases.
Identifies, initiates contact with, negotiates and drafts licensing agreements for tangible materials.
Review of publications for potential undisclosed innovations.
Coordinates with management and Office of Technology Transfer’s leadership team to prepare and maintain OTT’s standard operating procedures and forms for technology transfer operations.
Identifies diverse sources of funding (North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Foundations, etc.) and raises awareness amongst teammate innovators.
Assists with the application process as needed.

Benefits

Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
Competitive compensation
Generous retirement offerings
Programs that invest in your career development
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program