Industrial Liaison Officer - One Year Appointment

Department: MCC Mechanical Engineering
Salary/Grade: EXS/11

Job Summary:

The National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND) seeks a full-time Industry Liaison Officer (ILO). The ILO will serve the entire ERC as its main interface to industry. The ILO is responsible for establishing and maintaining a liaison between the ERC and its industrial sponsors, innovation facilitators, and faculty.

This position is a one-year termed position subject to renewal dependent on performance and available funding

Specific Responsibilities :

Leadership and Strategy (10%)

• Serve on the Center's Executive Committee, including representing the needs of HAND's innovation ecosystem.
• Work with the Center Director and relevant other personnel to develop/implement a Technology Transfer Strategic plan for the Center.

Industry Consortium Program (50%)

• Draft, revise, and negotiate the Center's governing agreement for its Industry Consortium Program (ICP).
• Convert Letters of Commitment into ICP memberships and ensure that dues are timely paid.
• Recruit new ICP partners by networking and actively seeking opportunities for industrial participation in research as well as educational center activities.
• Visit current and prospective ICP member companies as needed.
• Retain and increase interaction with ICP members.
• Continually evolve the ICP program in response to member feedback.
• Facilitate student/industry relations through internships, student participation in joint projects with industry, fellowships, seminars, career placement, etc.

Marketing (5%)

• Develop marketing materials for the Center, especially its ICP program.
• Maintain a website valuable to industry partners.

Technology Transfer (5%)

• Participate in the formation of new industry partnerships, start-ups, and other industrial enterprises.
• Work with the Tech Transfer Offices at the core universities in filing disclosures, technology transfer and licensing agreements.
• Develop invention handling procedures and participate in licensing negotiations in conjunction with industry partners and ERC core partner Technology Transfer offices.

Center Programs (20%)

• Work with the Center Director, the Director of Social, Ethical, and Economic Research, and other relevant personnel to develop and implement the SME Robotics Accelerator program.
• Serve as the Executive Director of the SME Robotics Accelerator in its formative period.
• Provide direct support to the Dexterity in the Public Interest program; e.g., recruiting panelists and advisors from Industry Consortium partners.
• Participate in and provide support to other Center programs, such as DexKit, FirstHAND Founders, and HANDForward, as needed.

Reporting (5%)

• Lead data collection for Innovation Ecosystem activities including the ICP program.
• Document financial contributions from ICP members.
• Draft the Innovation Ecosystem section of the annual report.

NSF Interaction (5%)

• Attend annual conference and other NSF required meetings.
• Consult regularly with other ERC ILOs across the nation and present at all ERC faculty/staff meetings on best practices.
• Keep up-to-date on all policies and procedures.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in engineering, the sciences, or related field
• 8+ years in business development or key account management, preferably in robotics or related fields, or equivalent experience from which comparable skills can be acquired

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• A working knowledge of intellectual property agreements and processes (e.g., patent, trade secret, confidentiality agreements, sponsored research agreements, material transfer agreements, technology licenses, etc.)
• A working knowledge of technology transfer, including technology startups and technology investing

Target hiring range for this position will be between $98,4477 - $138,441 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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