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MANAGER OF THE OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, MI, vibrant Medical Mile. In our short 22-year existence, we have grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 450 scientists, educators and staff. We are an agile institute known for breaking down barriers that hold innovation captive.

Collaboration is one of VAI’s founding principles. We employ a highly interactive group of investigators, and the open environment of the Institute’s building promotes informal and spontaneous collaborations.  Additionally, the Institute maintains numerous ongoing local, regional, national, and international partnerships with researchers and clinicians.

That is where you come in. WE NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN LEAD OUR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

You’ll be responsible for the leadership, supervision, and administration of VAI’s scientific intellectual property technology and material transfer relationships.

Your focus will be to promote the generation of Intellectual Property (IP), manage our IP portfolio, and licensing.

You will do this by interacting with some of the best scientific minds in the world to identify, protect and market our intellectual property. 

YOUR FOCUS AND OBJECTIVES:

• Develop strategic business plans for promising Institute technologies.
• Coordinate negotiations with industry partners for licensing.
• Implement ever improving methods to work with our faculty encouraging the development of and support the protection of intellectual property.
• Lead a team to manage a customer centric MTA process to both protect the Institute.
• Responsible for the leadership, supervision and administration of marketing and technology scientific portfolios; includes taking on new responsibilities of marketing all the VAI/EI IP licensing opportunities
• Support the Centers with industry planning and share scientific expertise and business skills (translational research) with VAI’s principal investigators while working across several disciplines throughout the VAI such as: Business Development, Finance, Grants and Contracts, Legal and the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer.
• Manage intellectual property patent filings; including reviewing invention report applications quarterly that are being considered for patent protection, conversion or consideration for abandoning.
• Work with all stakeholders to ensure seamless support for Investigators including organizing and reporting on activities, work in progress and successes standings.

WHAT QUALIFIES YOU TO LEAD OUR OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT?

• A Master’s degree, however, a Ph.D. is preferred, in biological sciences, business administration, and/or intellectual property specialization related to the work described above.
• Experience in Technology Transfer, specifically material transfer agreements. 
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in an academic, research or other comparable environment.
• At least five (5) years of leadership and managerial experience.
• Working understanding of contracts. 
• Strong project management skills.

YOU SHOULD ALSO BE A PERSON WITH THE FOLLOWING TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

• Highly motivated individual, strong performer and dedicated.
• Effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Problem solving and resolution, research acumen and analytical skills.
• Detail oriented and customer service oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively and confidentially with difficult situations and with individuals at all organizational levels.

WHAT YOU WILL GET WHEN YOU WORK HERE:

All full-time employees of Van Andel Institute are eligible for benefits, effective day one! In addition, you can enjoy the onsite café, the onsite workout facility, various social events, and paid parking.

We also will offer a very competitive salary, and this will be based on your experience and skills.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU? LET’S BEGIN THE CONVERSATION!

Apply by providing your resume. A cover letter is not mandatory, but is very welcome, as we’d love to understand a little bit better why you are interested in joining VAI.

If we feel you could be THE ONE, we'll call you pretty much immediately (because we move fast :). If our feeling after this conversation can be described as 'excited' we will invite you to VAI to continue to explore this potential relationship.

This role is very important to us, so you can expect a second visit to VAI where you will meet other members of our team as well.  

This position will be open until filled and we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. If you have any difficulty uploading your application or any questions, please email Eric Miller at eric.miller@vai.org. 

Required Skills Required Experience