Licensing/Contract Associate OR Senior Licensing/Contract Associate

About St. Jude
There’s a reason St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital consistently earns a Glassdoor Employee Choice Award and is named to its "Best Place to Work" list. At our world-class pediatric research hospital, every one of our professionals shares our commitment to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. There is a unique bond when you are part of a team that gives their all to advance the treatments and cures of pediatric catastrophic diseases. The result is a collaborative, positive environment where everyone, regardless of their role, receives the resources, support, and encouragement to advance and grow their careers.

Position Overview
The Licensing/Contract Associate or Senior Licensing/Contract Associate will take on a key role in managing St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s policies, and procedures, and agreements related to research and collaborations the transfer of proprietary biological materials between St. Jude and external academic institutions or private corporations. This individual will be responsible for compiling and processing various agreements, including material transfer agreements (MTAs), data transfer agreements (DTAs), confidentiality agreements (CDAs), inter-institutional agreements (IIAs), license agreements (LAs), sponsored research agreements (SRAs), and corporate research agreements (CRAs). Additionally, the role includes maintaining a comprehensive biological material and data transfer database, providing effective communication with research scientists, and proactively identifying and resolving common issues that may arise during the contracting negotiation and drafting process.

Senior Licensing/Contract Associate:

Job Responsibilities:

• Negotiate, draft Coordinate and monitor complex agreements, including confidentiality, material transfer, data transfer, inter-institutional, option, license, sponsored and corporate research agreements, to disseminate and protect SJCRH intellectual property. Interact with SJCRH investigators. Interact with outside academic and industry representatives. Monitor existing license agreements for compliance with terms. Assist in development documentation of strategies for licensing of inventions. Provide recommendations for structuring of license and collaboration deals to accomplish objectives. Maintain and foster long term licensee relationships.
• Oversee a portfolio of inventions. Work with Commercialization & Industry Engagement management leadership to evaluate new discoveries and ongoing academic and industry collaborations . Work with OTL management and inventors to develop document patent strategies. Interface with outside patent attorneys for the drafting and prosecution of assigned SJCRH patents. Document marketing strategies in conjunction with the Marketing Associate.
• Assume full responsibility for all material and data transfers into and out of SJCRH, and all associated supporting documents; monitor these transactions for compliance with agreed upon terms.
• Advise and educate Interact with investigators on intellectual property policies and industry relations. Explain/describe applicable SJCRH policies and procedures. Ensure researchers are aware of their obligations under new contracts. Compose correspondence and reports as needed.
• Assume responsibility for reporting federally funded inventions to the federal government, including election of title to inventions, patenting and licensing activities, as required by federal law.
• Maintain a knowledge base of the institution's research activities by attending departmental and faculty seminars.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other related duties to meet the goals and objectives of the department.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's Degree in a biological science required. 
• Advanced degree in biological science or business preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Five (5) years of related experience with legal and/or business documents such as contracts or licenses.
• Experience with quality assurance management systems is highly preferred.
• Experience in life sciences/biotech highly preferred.
• Experience with Wellspring/Sophia database tools preferred.

Licensing/Contract Associate:

Job Responsibilities:

• Negotiate and draft Coordinate and monitor complex agreements, including confidentiality, material transfer, data transfer, inter-institutional, option, license, and sponsored research agreements, to disseminate and protect SJCRH intellectual property. Interact with SJCRH investigators. Interact with outside academic and industry representatives.
• Identify, evaluate, promote and manage licensing opportunities for SJCRH inventions, including: Assess commercial potential of inventions; Develop marketing strategies; Perform business analysis; Contact potential licensees and respond to inquiries from companies seeking to license technologies; Monitor current license agreements for compliance with agreed upon terms.
• Assume full responsibility for all material and data transfers into and out of SJCRH, and all associated supporting documents; monitor these transactions for compliance with terms.
• Advise and educate investigators on intellectual property policies and industry relations. Explain/describe applicable SJCRH policies and procedures. Compose Assemble correspondence and reports as needed.
• Assume Responsibility for reporting to the NIH on patenting and licensing activities, as required by federal law.
• Maintain a knowledge base of institution's research activities by attending departmental and faculty seminars.
• Participate in patenting process. Work with OTL Director to evaluate potential to patent new discoveries. Interact with outside patent attorneys in the drafting and prosecution of SJCRH patents.
• Perform other related duties to meet the goals and objectives of the department.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's Degree in a biological science required.
• Advanced degree in biological science or business preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Three (3) years of related experience with legal and/or business documents such as contracts or licenses.
• Experience with quality assurance management systems is highly preferred.
• Experience in life sciences/biotech preferred.
• Experience with Wellspring/Sophia database tool preferred.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $78,000 - $139,360 per year for the role of Licensing/Contract Associate OR Senior Licensing/Contract Associate.

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.