Licensing Specialist, Life Science

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensing Specialist, Life Science will support the active management of UT Austin's life science commercialization portfolio, including therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, research tools, biologics, software-enabled life science technologies, and other health- and biology-related innovations. The role will help move UT Austin technologies to market through industry partners and startups that can develop them into products and services. The Licensing Specialist will balance the interests of inventors, licensees, partners, and internal teams to negotiate agreements that bring UT research to market. Working alongside the broader Licensing team, the role manages agreement workflows, prepares and negotiates routine and moderately complex agreements, coordinates across internal stakeholders, and maintains productive relationships with licensees and partners. This is a growth-oriented role. The successful candidate will contribute immediately to life science agreement execution while building stronger judgment in licensing strategy, patent strategy, business models, startup considerations, diligence, and portfolio management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, pharmacy, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: life science research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, university technology transfer, intellectual property, contracts, business development, venture/startup support, or commercialization of early-stage technologies.
• Strong ability to understand and communicate life science concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write clearly, summarize complex issues, and communicate professionally with faculty, companies, startups, attorneys, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, track details, follow through on deadlines, and move work forward independently.
• Strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving ability, and willingness to learn licensing, patent strategy, deal structure, and university commercialization practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across licensing, intellectual property, business development, collaborative research, compliance, finance, inventors, and external partners.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. or other advanced degree in a life science, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, medicine, business, law, or related field.
• Relevant intellectual property experience, including experience with patents, patent strategy, invention disclosures, licensing, technology transfer, patent prosecution support, IP diligence, or commercialization of university or early-stage life science technologies.
• Experience in a university technology transfer office, biotech or pharmaceutical company, medtech company, venture-backed startup, law firm, patent office, accelerator, consulting firm, or related commercialization environment.
• Familiarity with patent licenses, option agreements, confidentiality agreements, inter-institutional agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, sponsored research agreements, or other agreements used to advance life science technologies.
• Experience reviewing scientific publications, patent materials, business plans, investor materials, diligence plans, or early-stage technology summaries.
• Familiarity with basic principles of patent law, licensing, royalty and milestone structures, equity, diligence obligations, startup formation, and university conflict-of-interest or compliance issues.
• Experience building relationships with faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry partners, investors, or external collaborators.
• Demonstrated record of being a self-starter, careful writer, strong collaborator, and practical problem solver.
• Participation in AUTM, technology transfer training, entrepreneurship programs, venture fellowships, business development internships, or similar professional development.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage life science agreements, including license, option, evaluation, material transfer and biological material, confidentiality, inter-institutional, data use, and technology validation agreements, along with amendments, letters of support, and other commercialization-related contracts.
• Manage a pipeline of agreements toward execution, coordinating with inventors, companies, startups, legal counsel, and university stakeholders to resolve issues while preserving UT Austin's long-term interests.
• Support the Licensing team in managing agreement workflows, portfolio activity, partner communications, and commercialization priorities, with a primary emphasis on life science technologies.
• Over time, take increasing ownership of selected technologies, relationships, and workflows.
• Coordinate with the Intellectual Property and Business Development teams on invention disclosures, patent portfolio decisions, market feedback, licensing strategy, potential partners, and startup opportunities.
• Build relationships with UT Austin faculty, licensees, startups, investors, and industry partners, and serve as a responsive point of contact for agreement-related questions.
• Improve team templates, workflows, agreement tracking, and licensing operations.
• Participate in training, AUTM programming, and professional development to deepen expertise in technology transfer, life science commercialization, patent strategy, startup licensing, equity, and negotiation.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation (8 hours/month), paid holidays (10+/year), sick time (8 hours/month), and longevity pay
• Teacher Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

What This Job Offers

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