Innovation Manager

Job Description

CoMotion has an outstanding opportunity for an Innovation Manager to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Licensing Life Sciences the Innovation Manager applies technical expertise and business judgement to advance researchers in their journey to launch ideas into the marketplace guiding innovators to needed resources advising on customer discovery activities and start-up formation making intellectual property protection decisions and negotiating agreements including intellectual property licenses both to existing companies and to UW spin-outs. Innovation Managers also contribute to CoMotions outreach activities including presenting to faculty students and research groups and engaging with external parties to assist in promoting understanding of university innovation transfer processes.

This role requires a strong technical background across biology biochemistry microbiology and chemistry to manage a life science portfolio a deep understanding of commercialization pathways and the ability to build productive professional relationships and mentor researchers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working proactively with entrepreneurs investors and investigators to catalyze promising commercialization projects 40%
• Negotiating and Drafting licenses for UW intellectual property 25%
• Encouraging and evaluating new projects and innovation disclosures 20%
• Marketing and Project Developmentfor UW innovations 10%
• Representing CoMotion in university and broader communities -5%

Required Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Life Science Bioengineering Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or related field and some experience or coursework in business marketing or law or a combination of education and experience.
• Two years experience in scientific research university technology transfer corporate R&D product or business development.
• Equivalent education and professional experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong verbal and written communications skills with the ability to convey technical and commercial concepts to diverse audiences;
• Strong project management abilities and ability to develop commercialization strategies and coordinate resources to drive projects forward;
• Ability to evaluate position and develop promising technologies;
• Good business sense;
• Ability to interact effectively in both the academic and corporate cultures;
• Ability to absorb technical details of new technologies;
• Effective at setting priorities and obtaining closure;
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with other colleagues;
• Ability to generate strategic options and translate them into actionable plans.

Desired:

• Ph.D. in Life Science discipline
• Commercialization experience in an academic or corporate environment focused on technology licensing.

Working Conditions:

• CoMotion is an in-person first workplace.
• CoMotion has an open floor plan without permanently assigned desks and candidates should be comfortable working in an onsite open-plan environment.
• Must live within commuting distance of UW Seattle Campus.
• May be eligible for a hybrid work schedule under defined conditions.
• CoMotion also hosts events and meetings for which in-person attendance is required.

About the Team

CoMotion partners with the UW community on their innovation journey providing tools connections and acumen to transform ideas into economic and societal impact. Through an integrated set of services spanning innovation training intellectual property advising and protection funding and mentorship licensing startups and incubation CoMotion seeks to: elevate the global impact and visibility of the UW through research translation; enhance diversity and inclusion in the UW innovation ecosystem; identify and pursue new opportunities to lower barriers to entrepreneurship and increase spinoff success; create develop and nurture internal and external partnerships that are mutually beneficial and harness synergies to bolster our local and regional innovation ecosystem; and meet the evolving needs of the innovation ecosystem through continuous data-driven improvements and programmatic innovation.

The CoMotion Innovation Development group provides services including intellectual property strategy and management project development guidance portfolio management and license confidentiality and material transfer agreements.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.