Description

Job Summary

The Licensing Associate will advance the University of Akron Research Foundation’s (UARF) 
mission of innovation and entrepreneurship by building and managing partnerships across 
community, corporate, investor, government, academic, and nonprofit sectors. This role 
focuses on facilitating the commercialization of The University of Akron’s (UA) technologies 
through the negotiation and execution of licensing agreements.

The ideal candidate will play an integral role in advancing UA and UARF’s innovation and 
technology commercialization initiatives and reports directly to the Executive Director of the 
University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF).

Duties & Responsibilities

• Technology Assessment & Market Research
  • Evaluate inventions stemming from UA research for commercial potential, 
    patentability, stage of development, market need, and competitive positioning
  • Conduct patent landscapes and prior art searches to guide intellectual property 
    (IP) protection strategies
• Marketing & Business Development
  • Prepare non-confidential summaries and marketing briefs to spark interest from 
    potential licensees
  • Work collaboratively with UA’s Technology Transfer Office (OTT) to promote all 
    UA IP assets by leveraging UARF’s digital presence, including its website, social 
    media platforms, and targeted marketing outlets to promote intellectual 
    property opportunities
• Licensing
  • Negotiate, draft, and execute licensing and option agreements in collaboration 
    with the Executive Director and UA’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT), 
    ensuring terms are commercially reasonable and compliant with federal, state, 
    and local regulations.
• Portfolio & Post-Licensing Management
  • Maintain portfolios in compliance with organizational procedures
    Track licensing milestones

Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field required; Master’s degree in business, 
  engineering, or science in a related field (e.g., MBA, JD, CLP) preferred.
• Two or more years of experience in technology transfer, licensing, or commercialization.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property laws, licensing practices, and 
  commercialization strategies.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships with industry partners 
  and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to conduct market research and competitive 
  analysis.
• Proficiency in using technology transfer and contract management software.
• Demonstrated success contributing to a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
• Record of success in identifying, marketing, and transferring technologies for 
  commercialization.

Sponsorship

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without 
sponsorship.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three professional references to uarf@uakron.edu

Application Window

Applications close on: December 15 , 2025