Job Opportunities

Plant Licensing Associate - 11133

This position is for a professional to join the Vice Provost/Executive Director and other licensing professionals in the management of a comprehensive and diverse intellectual property plant program and material transfer process for Cornell University.

• The licensing associate is responsible for managing and evaluating a portfolio of plant varieties and germplasm and other tangible research materials developed at Cornell for their commercial potential, and available protection under federal, state statutes and international treaties.
• The licensing associate will act as the primary liaison to the faculty members in plant breeding and other life science researchers. Extensive interaction is required with researchers on both the Ithaca campus and the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYAES) campus in Geneva, NY, potential licensees, intellectual property and contract attorneys, industry scientists, senior business development executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
• Licensing associate will develop commercialization and marketing plans/strategies for technologies which include market research.
• Using contacts and professional experience, the licensing associate will be responsible for targeting potential licensees, negotiating the terms and conditions for the license. Additionally, associate will draft the necessary legal document to complete the licensing and transfer of Cornell plant breeder rights and physical property rights for commercial development to benefit the public.
• Upon the Vice Provost's request, the licensing associate will also represent the center and Cornell at professional meetings, seed and plant trade conferences, as well as investment and economic development meetings and events.
• The licensing associate will participate in on-campus educational and service programs organized by the Cornell Center for Technology Enterprise and Commercialization (CCTEC) related to intellectual property issues and awareness as well as other CCTEC events as appropriate.
• Licensing associate will work with the Cornell investigators, the technology commercialization officers and assistants to manage the material transfer process (MTA).
• Associate will prepare agreements to support transfer of tangible research material to third parties, obtain the appropriate signatures and notify the investigators when research material may be transferred.

BS degree in plant sciences, horticulture or in a related biological science field with 3-5 years experience or equivalent combination. Should have experience working in a fast-paced office and must be able to work individually and as part of a team. Time-management skills essential. Individual must have outstanding organization and interpersonal skills, strong written and oral communication skills, good computer skills to include spreadsheet, word processing, presentation, relational database programs, and be familiar with using the Internet.

Graduate degree in Plant Science or Horticulture preferred. Hands-on experience in plant licensing and experience with contract terms is highly desirable. Understanding of plant patent law or plant variety protection or plant breeder rights is a plus.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.