Sr. Licensing Associate

SUMMARY:

The Sr. Licensing Associate is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of intellectual property arising from research performed by Salk investigators, including patented inventions, tangible research materials and copyright protected materials.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly maintains a docket of Salk investigators.
• Evaluates potential licensees for suitability to license and commercialize Salk IP and maximizes licensing opportunities.
• Drafts and negotiates IP-related agreements, including technology licenses, collaboration and inter-institutional agreements, reagent distribution agreements, and various agreements with industry. Re-negotiates such agreements when appropriate, revising language while protecting Salk’s original bargain.
• Evaluates new inventions, materials and software for patentability and other means of legal protection. Carries out preliminary market analysis and evaluates commercial potential, develops a legal protection strategy and plans for appropriate discoveries.
• Oversees and supports the drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patent applications by outside counsel, and helps coordinate participation by the inventors. Sets budget, reviews, and approves outside counsel bills for compliance. Creates memos related to IP conversions and abandonment.
• Establishes and maintains personal relationships with Salk faculty and research staff, keeps up to date on their research programs, and provides information, advice, and training on a wide range of OTD matters through regular lab meetings and one-on-one discussions.
• Keeps faculty and staff informed about OTD activities on IP protection and commercialization of their inventions.
• Identifies, develops, and advises on potential collaborations and experiments that may enhance commercial potential and legal protection, in collaboration with Director of Innovation Partnerships
• Takes primary responsibility for relationship management, licensee compliance and resolution of compliance issues of existing license agreements within docket.
• Develops a marketing/licensing strategy, including maintaining a network of applicable contacts, conducting relevant market research, and drafts non-confidential summaries of inventions and materials.
• Advises the Director, Licensing and Senior Director, OTD of infringement and other legal issues and participates in efforts to resolve the same.
• Works with other Salk departments as needed to evaluate intellectual property provisions of grants and contracts, purchasing agreements, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required: 6+ years’ work experience in life science technology licensing, patenting, and contracts.
• Preferred: 8+ years’ work experience in technology licensing.
• Required: Ph.D. in a scientific discipline relevant to Salk research or more than ten years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certificates, licenses, and registrations preferred:
  • Patent Agent registration, and/or CLP or RTTP certification.
• Computer skills required: Contract Management Systems; Microsoft Office
• Applicants must submit a non-confidential deal sheet to demonstrate work experience.

SALK VALUES:

• Integrity – Guides our moral compass and underpins our every action. We do what is right in all situations for no other reason than because it is right. We uphold honesty and ethical behavior and make good on our commitments. We understand that words and deeds matter and that integrity leads to trust.
• Community – Enables us to harness the power of our collective talents. We work together towards common goals. We recognize the importance of diversity where everyone’s ideas, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued and pave the paths that propel us forward. We understand our pioneering role in the broader scientific community and take pride in our efforts to have a positive impact on the world.
• Accountability – Keeps us focused, and keeps us honest. We are responsible not only for our own success, but the success of our teams and the entire Institute. We consider how the actions we take and the decisions we make in our own work may impact others.
• Respect – Creates the foundation of trust and brings out the best in us all. We value the experiences, identities, and feelings of those we work with, regardless of their position or their relationship to us. We provide feedback in a constructive manner, use appropriate language, and allow others to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of ridicule.
• Empowerment – Amplifies all voices and inspires the pursuit of greatness. We lift each other up, enabling us to grow continuously and live to our fullest potential. We support the expression of ideas, encourage self-advocacy, inspire confidence and recognize that an environment of mutual respect is critical to our collective success.

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Cost Consciousness – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.
• Judgement – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization’s goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management – Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Strategic Thinking – Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization’s strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Visionary Leadership – Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

The expected pay range for this position is $110,000 – $140,000 per annum. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Occasionally required to stand
• Occasionally required to walk
• Continually required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk and/or hear
• Occasionally exposure to outside weather conditions
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 20 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Additional remarks regarding work environment: Must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment.

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that valuesdiversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All individuals who accept a position with the Salk Institute must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment, must successfully complete the Institute’s background investigation and must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)