Legal Career Center

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The University of Michigan is one of the world’s most powerful engines for scholarly research, service, and impact.  Sustaining and supporting the University’s robust research enterprise is vital for maximizing innovation and economic development.  As a service and resource for innovative investigators interested in commercialization of research, Innovation Partnerships is a unit of the Office of Research that plays a central role in helping to ensure that society realizes the benefits of the research conducted on campus.

Innovation Partnerships is seeking a highly responsible, self-motivated, detail-oriented Industry Relations Manager to join their team.  Specifically, this person will manage the following functions:

Negotiate intellectual property terms for Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs) with industry and foundation sponsors - contracts used when a company or foundation provides funding to the University for a researcher(s) to pursue a specific area of research

• negotiate the terms related to intellectual property rights, including rights in existing intellectual property, rights in intellectual property created during the course of the funded research project, patent prosecution, and the economic terms for any intellectual property licenses granted under sponsored research agreements
• help university researchers seeking funding from industry or foundations to understand the implications of intellectual property terms

Draft, revise, negotiate Industry Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) - contracts that govern the transfer of materials between institutions for use in research. Materials may include cell lines, plasmids, nucleotides, proteins, transgenic animals, plant varieties, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals.

• work with university researchers to provide/receive research materials to/from industry partners
• manage material transfer agreement workflows and processes to efficiently handle a large volume of material transfer agreements (These agreements address issues such as ownership of the transferred material and modifications and derivatives made by the recipient. They also may limit the use and further dissemination of the material by the recipient, address publication rights and confidentiality, as well as determine rights to inventions and research results)

Negotiate and manage research tools licenses with industry partners

• negotiate all terms in research tools licenses with industry
• actively market portfolio of research tools to potential licensees
• provide superior customer service to university researchers seeking to transfer research tools to industry

Advanced degree in a scientific field, or other experience enabling you to understand invention disclosures in a variety of scientific fields; at least 1 year of experience working with research-related contracts in academic or industry setting; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment; ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines; detail oriented with ability to work on multiple projects at the same time; growth-mindset with a willingness to learn new terms, technologies, and concepts through hands-on experience, self-directed training, and formal training provided by other members of the office; willingness to accept and adopt feedback from members of the Innovation Partnerships licensing team.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

• Bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)

* 0 - 3 yrs experience with material transfer agreements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Ability to interact with scientists, research sponsors, industry representatives, and patent attorneys

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment

• Willingness to work under pressure with tight deadlines

• Detail oriented with ability to work on, and keep track of, multiple projects at the same time

• Willingness to learn research materials terminology

Salary range: 60-75k

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations are now required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all three campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working or learning remotely.  More information on this policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the U-M Dearborn and U-M Flint websites.