Director of Patents and Technology Transfer

Make a difference at one of Florida’s premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly’s deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

   

JOB TITLE

   

Director of Patents and Technology Transfer

   

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

   

The Director of Patents and Technology Transfer leads Florida Polytechnic University’s efforts to identify, protect, manage, and commercialize intellectual property arising from faculty, student, and institutional research. This position plays a pivotal role in translating research innovations into market-ready solutions, fostering partnerships with industry, and collaborating with faculty, students, and external partners to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations governing intellectual property and to support the University’s mission to drive innovation and economic development in the Florida’s high-tech industries.

   

JOB DESCRIPTION

   

Responsibilities:

Lead and manage the University’s intellectual property (IP) management and protection.

• Direct the evaluation, filing, and maintenance of patents and related IP generated by University researchers, ensuring alignment with institutional and legal standards.  Review invention disclosures and assess commercial potential in consultation with inventors and legal counsel

Lead technology commercialization and licensing activities.

• Develop and negotiate license agreements, option agreements, material transfer agreements (MTAs), confidentiality agreements (NDAs), and other contracts that facilitate the commercialization of University-developed technologies.

Cultivate industry and entrepreneurial partnerships.

• Collaborate with industry partners, startups, and investors to promote technology transfer opportunities and advance economic development in Florida’s innovation ecosystem.

Facilitate faculty and student innovation

• Provide training, resources, and one-on-one guidance to researchers and students regarding invention disclosures, IP protection, and commercialization pathways.

Develop policies and compliance frameworks.

• Establish and maintain institutional policies and procedures governing IP ownership, revenue distribution, and Bayh-Dole Act compliance, as well as processes for invention reporting, patent application tracking, and licensing documentation.

Promote University research visibility and impact.

• Prepare reports, metrics, and presentations related to invention disclosures, patent activity, and licensing revenue; strengthen the University’s reputation as a hub for applied research and innovation.

Coordinate with legal, sponsored research, and industry engagement units

• Collaborate across divisions to ensure smooth integration of IP management with research contracts, grants, and corporate collaborations; coordinate with external patent attorneys and manage all aspects of patent filing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related technical discipline.

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in patent management, technology transfer, or intellectual property law.

• Demonstrated understanding of U.S. patent la