Translation Program Director
About The Position
Leads proactive, systematic engagement with UNC Charlotte’s full research portfolio — in research centers, institutes, and directly with individual researchers not affiliated with any center — to identify commercially promising research at TRL 2–3, before it self-selects through formal disclosure or exits through publication unrealized. Translates early-stage research findings into problem statements that Charlotte’s industry partners and the region’s financial community recognize as operationally relevant and worth investing in, drawing on deep personal domain expertise in energy, advanced manufacturing and metrology, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, national defense and intelligence, and optics and optoelectronics. Connects researchers with the right corporate counterparts, investors, and Mentors-in-Residence through peer-level personal relationships built over a career in industry — converting UNC Charlotte’s proximity to six Fortune 500 headquarters and the Carolinas Engine for Grid Modernization coalition into active translation partnerships. Drives the translation pipeline that feeds all three ORTIA units — coordinating across Translation Intelligence, New Ventures & Industry Alliances, and IP & Technology Transfer — and produces the Translation Validation documentation required to move technologies into spinout formation, industry alliance development, and funding programs.
Requirements
- Deep personal domain expertise in energy, advanced manufacturing and metrology, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, national defense and intelligence, and optics and optoelectronics.
- Experience building peer-level personal relationships in industry.
- Familiarity with UNC Charlotte's proximity to six Fortune 500 headquarters and the Carolinas Engine for Grid Modernization coalition.
- Ability to coordinate across Translation Intelligence, New Ventures & Industry Alliances, and IP & Technology Transfer.
- Ability to produce Translation Validation documentation.
Responsibilities
- Leads proactive, systematic engagement with UNC Charlotte’s full research portfolio to identify commercially promising research at TRL 2–3.
- Translates early-stage research findings into problem statements relevant to industry partners and the financial community.
- Connects researchers with corporate counterparts, investors, and Mentors-in-Residence.
- Drives the translation pipeline that feeds ORTIA units (Translation Intelligence, New Ventures & Industry Alliances, and IP & Technology Transfer).
- Produces Translation Validation documentation for technology commercialization.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
