Principal, Business Development and Commercialization

Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies:  1
New or Replacement Position: New
Site:  MaRS
Department:  UHN Research Institute
Reports to:  Head UHN RI
Salary Range:  $59.35 to $89.03
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Days
Status: Temporary Full-Time (12 month contract)
Closing Date: May 31 2026

Position Summary:

Research at UHN is comprised of two major institutes: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and UHN Research Institute.  

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is where cutting edge oncology research is moved forward every day towards our mission of impacting patients globally. The UHN Research Institute is internationally recognized for its multidisciplinary biomedical research which encompasses activity across the UHN sites (other than Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) and drives the convergence of care research and education across a broad scope of disease fields and disciplines; as such it is a cornerstone of UHNs innovation ecosystem. These areas include Krembil Brain Institute Schroeder Arthritis Institute Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute Peter Munk Cardiac Centre KITE Research Institute McEwen Stem Cell Institute Ajmera Transplant Centre and The Institute for Education Research as well as research in respiratory health metabolism and organ function and health systems and policy.   

UHNs commercialization successes include the Medly cardiac digital health platform EVLP lung transplant system Adela Bio Inc. and more.  These companies first incubated within UHN are among many others that have collectively injected more than $5 billion into the economy.  among others which have reshaped patient care and global standards in their respective fields.  

The Business Development and Commercialization Principal plays a key role in advancing UHNs research commercialization objectives including driving efficient execution and timely turnaround of licensing sponsored research and other researchrelated agreements across her or her assigned portfolio under one or both of UHNs two research institutes.  

This role requires a dynamic commercially minded professional with strong academic credentials demonstrated contract negotiation expertise and the ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships in fastpaced research and industry environments. 

The Principal is responsible for maximizing the commercial success of research conducted within their assigned close collaboration with the Heads of Business Development & Commercialization Principal Investigators Institute Directors and research teams the Principal also supports endtoend revenue generation activities including opportunity evaluation IP protection marketing licensing and company formation.  

Depending on the stage of each asset within the portfolio the Principal assesses market potential develops IP and marketing strategies engages pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners and leads the negotiation and execution of sponsored research agreements licensing agreements and related term sheets with a strong emphasis on efficient deal structuring and timely contract closure.  

A key focus of this role is improving the efficiency and turnaround time of sponsored research agreements and industry licensing balancing institutional risk management with the need to rapidly enable industryacademic collaborations. 

Duties

• Proactively engage researchers within the assigned portfolio to understand research priorities and advance commercialization by translating research activities into executable licensing and sponsored research opportunities 
• Drive deal flow and contract execution activities in a collaborative team environment with accountability for timely negotiation and completion of licensing and sponsored research agreements. 
• Support and lead opportunities for UHN commercialization funds and external ecosystem funding as required. 
• In alignment with the Heads of Business Development & Commercialization take primary ownership of the assigned portfolios contracting activities including: Leading the negotiation and turnaround of sponsored research licensing and related research agreements such as confidentiality and service agreements and coordinating internal stakeholders to reduce cycle times and remove bottlenecks in contract approvals 
• Work closely with Licensing & Commercialization IP Management Marketing Operations Research Legal and the UHN Foundation to ensure contracts align with institutional policies while enabling rapid deal execution. 

Qualifications :

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant business experience or equivalent   
• Completion of a Masters degree in immunology biomedical science biotechnology neuroscience oncology regenerative medicine preferably with a translational research and or commercialization specialization or recognized equivalent experience required; PhD and/or MBA highly preferred   
• Demonstrated expertise in clinical and translational research environments with strong working knowledge of one or more of the following and familiarity across two or more of the following areas highly preferred:  Transplantation Cardiovascular disease Immunology Clinical oncology Oncology broadly 
• Experience in the negotiation and completion of research support licensing and/or partnership deals is required.  
• Demonstrable and relevant industry and/or investment experience with a strong focus on licensing sponsored research agreements and contract execution in complex research environments is required. 
• Very good knowledge of licensing practice and capacity for autonomously understanding and evaluating detailed legal agreements required  
• Experience working in pharmaceutical or biotech business development technology transfer venture capital or related environment required  
• Good knowledge of patent practice required  
• Strong presentation skills required  
• Experience launching and leading startup biotech companies (including sourcing seed and venture capital funding and divestments) would be an asset  
• Knowledge of internet patent and other database searches desirable  
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize while working under pressure with tight deadlines is required   
• Self-starter with demonstrated history of taking initiatives  
• Ability and comfort communicating to a range of stakeholders from researchers to CEOs from a business and science perspective 

Additional Information :

Why join UHN

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world UHN offers a wide range of benefits programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor allowing you to find value where it matters most to you now and throughout your career at UHN. 

• Competitive offer packages  
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP access to Transit and UHN shuttle service 
• A flexible work environment  
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization 
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel restaurants parking phone plans auto insurance discounts on-site gyms etc.) 

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHNs attendance management program to be eligible for consideration.  

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates.  Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading inaccurate or incorrect UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Contract