Technology Commercialization Associate for Energy and Physical Sciences

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has an opening for a Technology Commercialization Associate to join the Intellectual Property Office. In this role, you will play a key role in bringing Berkeley Lab’s science solutions to the world by managing and commercializing the intellectual property (IP) portfolio of Berkeley Lab’s research for the Energy and Physical Sciences Areas. You will be responsible for advising Berkeley Lab employees on matters relating to managing and commercializing IP, including supporting entrepreneurial opportunities, advising on industry collaboration, and providing regular updates on status and progress of management and commercialization efforts. In addition, you will interact with a broad range of professionals, including researchers, leadership, patent attorneys, contracting professionals, marketing professionals, and business development professionals. 

This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic, multidisciplinary research institution and work with a community creating ground-breaking science solutions across the biosciences, energy, computing, environment, and physics areas.

What You Will Do:

• Manage the IP portfolio of Energy and Physical Sciences-related research by evaluating and prioritizing new and existing technologies, and developing and implementing appropriate IP strategies.
  • Encourage invention disclosures by networking with scientists and educating them on technology transfer. 
  • Review technology disclosures and related information to identify critical technology, market, and IP issues.
  • Evaluate technical, market, and IP hypotheses (e.g., product-market fit, market dynamics, go-to-market strategies, patentability, licensability) by conducting independent research and engaging industry.
  • Prioritize technologies according to commercial, societal, and/or programmatic potential based on the results of hypothesis testing. 
  • Collaborate with patent, marketing communications, and licensing functions to develop and implement strategies for IP and marketing, including negotiating business terms, including ownership, licensing, and financial terms, with potential and actual joint rights holders.
• Manage the licensing life cycle to commercialize the IP portfolio of Energy and Physical Sciences-related research.
  • Collaborate with marketing professionals to execute selected marketing strategies, including identifying and contacting potential licensees by direct contacts, networking at conferences, and visiting businesses and investors.
  • Develop satisfactory commercialization plans in collaboration with potential licensees and negotiate business terms, including license scopes and financial terms, with potential licensees and contracting professionals.
  • Ensure licensees comply with licensing obligations by maintaining relationships with licensees, and measuring and promoting compliance.
• Advise Berkeley Lab researchers, administrators, and leadership on all matters relating to managing and commercializing IP, including supporting entrepreneurial opportunities, advising on industry collaboration issues, and providing regular updates on status and progress of management and commercialization efforts.
• Manage and implement Energy I-Corps-related programs, including proposal support, marketing programs within Berkeley Lab and screening potential participants, and participating in Department of Energy working groups.

What is Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences field and a minimum of 2 years of experience in business development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Ability to develop strategies and goals, organize work toward those strategies and goals, and solve problems that might be encountered in executing work.
• Experience with or demonstrated capability to learn IP subject matter, including IP law, IP transactions, and IP portfolio management;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively network and interact with researchers, patent attorneys, contracting professionals, and business development professionals in many contexts:
  • Visual, oral, and written communications.
  • Conferences, group meetings, 1-on-1s.
  • Berkeley Lab, University of California, Department of Energy, Industry.
• Ability to quickly understand technologies, relevant industries and markets, and potential applications.
• Computer literacy, including web-based research and use of relational databases (preferably common IP databases) and office productivity software (preferably Google Suite). 
• Effective negotiation and consensus-building skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in physical sciences.
• A minimum of 5 years of business development experience.
• Experience with University of California and Department of Energy policies regarding intellectual property and related matters. 
• Project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing strategies and goals, organize work toward those strategies and goals, and solve problems that might be encountered in executing work
• Experience with IP subject matter, including IP law, IP transactions and IP portfolio management 

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof of Full Vaccination or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:
Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.