Director of Technology Transfer, Office of Research and Creative Scholarship

Salary: $80,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annually
Location : Missoula Mountain Campus
Job Type: Contract Professional Full-time
Job Number: 202400631
Department: UM VP Research & Creative Scholarship
Opening Date: 03/23/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt


Description
The University of Montana invites applications for the Director of Technology Transfer to lead the Technology Transfer Office, within the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitates commercialization of innovations developed through university research activity.
• Manages Intellectual Property (IP) including invention disclosures and IP protection across the full spectrum of university disciplines (including but not limited to biomedical, biology, chemistry computer science, forestry, social science, and humanities).
• Negotiates and executes licensing agreements.
• Leads Technology Evaluation Committee to review and provides guidance on university investment in inventions.
• Evaluates patent strategy and market opportunity.
• Manages patent expenditures.
• Cultivates strategic partnerships with industry partners to promote commercialization.
• Represents the university as an ambassador for its innovation portfolio.
• Engages venture capital and private investment communities.
• Provides guidance and mentorship to researchers and inventors on IP policies and opportunities.
• Knowledge of best practices to further the goals and objectives of the tech transfer programs.
• Conducts program reviews of tech transfer compliance efforts and prepares periodic compliance reports to the Vice President for Research and Creative Scholarship.
• Maintains adequate records to document the University's tech transfer compliance efforts.
• Effectively plans and exercises decision-making skills, analyzes information and develops solutions to problems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in a STEM field, PhD preferred
• Experience managing patent strategy and prosecution oversight.
• Experience with copyright protection and commercialization. Knowledge of open-source licensing frameworks and their commercial implications.
• Familiarity with hybrid IP strategies, particularly for software driven assets.
• Demonstrated highly effective interpersonal skills for working closely with internal organizational units and effective representation of organizational positions on issues with external parties.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with administrators, faculty, principal investigators, and staff.
• Requires a high degree of independence, discretion, and professionalism in the performance of many complex and critical functions in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Information
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date.

A complete application includes:

• Letter of Interest - addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM's non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans' or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.


Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.
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