Assistant Director, Corporate Research Support

How to Apply

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.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Corporate Research Support works in Innovation Partnerships and reports to the Associate Director, Corporate Research Support Group Lead. The position takes a faculty-centric approach to identifying, developing, and executing sponsored research and other research partnerships. The Assistant Director, Corporate Research Support counsels U-M faculty on potential and existing research partnerships, identifies and cultivates opportunities for U-M faculty to partner with industry, and structures research partnerships, including negotiating term sheets and draft agreements. The Assistant Director, Corporate Research Support works closely with the licensing team within Innovation Partnerships as well as Project Representatives within the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects and other internal and external stakeholders.

Who We Are

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 are vital for maximizing innovation and economic growth. As a service and resource for researchers interested in commercialization of technologies and research discoveries, 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 at the University of Michigan.

Innovation Partnerships enhances research discoveries to encourage licensing and broad deployment with existing businesses and newly-formed U-M startups. Innovation Partnerships has earned a reputation for performance among the top 10 of all universities through providing responsive, professional service to our inventors, industry partners and ecosystem collaborators.

Responsibilities*

• Work with U-M faculty to understand their research agenda and potential opportunities
• Identify and cultivate strategic research partnership opportunities for particular U-M faculty and units
• Negotiate and structure research relationships with industry partners; draft, review, and negotiate term sheets, non-disclosure agreements, and agreements for potential research partnerships
• Advise faculty on implications of research partnerships, such as foreground and background intellectual property terms; assist faculty in navigating and complying with policy and regulatory requirements for research relationships
• Counsel faculty and other University leadership regarding proposals for, and structuring of, major research centers, including Industry-University research centers
• Assist other University personnel in navigating industry-sponsored research engagements

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree and/or sufficient knowledge and/or sufficient industry experience to allow the Assistant Director of Corporate Research Alliances to understand scientific and market terminology and trends, or strong desire to learn;
• At least one year relevant experience in licensing, research administration, higher education, technology transfer, consulting, or business development in relevant industry, university, or nonprofit setting;
• Interest or experience in contract negotiation;
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills;
• Ability to professionally interact effectively in both academic and corporate cultures including with scientists, research sponsors, industry representatives, early-stage investors, and attorneys;
• Ability to work reliably under pressure with tight deadlines independently and as part of a team environment;
• Working knowledge of intellectual property rights;
• High degree of energy and enthusiasm; and
• Desire to function as an integral part of a joyous workplace.

Desired Qualifications*

• Technical degree and/or J.D;
• Certified Research Administrator;
• Working understanding of federal grants, solicitations, and/or federal procurement guidelines.
• Two to five years relevant experience in licensing, research administration, higher education, technology transfer, consulting, contract negotiation, or business development in relevant industry, university or nonprofit setting;
• Experience and/or understanding of non-disclosure agreements and industry sponsored research agreements, especially the handling of foreground and background intellectual property, indirect costs, and publication rights;
• Experience with intellectual property licensing agreements, in particular those involving academic technology transfer;
• Familiarity with the research enterprise at a large research university sufficient to understand and navigate the variety of interested stakeholders, underlying economics, and the unique interests of a university;
• Experience with data analytics and visualization or strong desire to learn; and
• Dedication to customer service approach to work, sufficient to enable a faculty-centric approach to counseling faculty through the discovery, exploration, formation, and execution of industry research relationships.

Work Locations

This position may be eligible for remote and/or flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Application Deadline

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.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

261696

Working Title

Assistant Director, Corporate Research Support

Job Title

Lic/Patent Assoc Tech Transfer

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Umor Tech Trnsfr-Ott

Department

UMOR Corp Research Alliances

Posting Begin/End Date

3/31/2025 - 4/21/2025

Salary

$90,000.00 - $105,000.00

Career Interest

Research