Executive Director - Research Foundation

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is seeking an experienced, collaborative leader in technology transfer, licensing, and commercialization to serve as the next Executive Director of the NDSU Research Foundation (NDSURF) , a non-profit 501(c)(3) that advances technology transfer and commercialization for NDSU research. Although NDSURF is a separate entity, the Executive Director will be an NDSU employee and will report to NDSU's Vice President for Research and Creative Activity. The Executive Director will serve on the NDSURF Board of Directors as an ex officio member.

The NDSURF Board aims to increase engagement between the Research Foundation and campus faculty, students, and staff. The Executive Director will collaborate with the Board and NDSU to develop and promote a shared vision, set organizational goals and metrics, create a strategic plan, and strengthen partnerships with campus researchers and industry to support commercialization and economic development. NDSU has organized its processes for identifying inventions, deciding whether to seek patent protection, and managing an appropriately sized portfolio. The next Executive Director will have an exciting opportunity to develop a strategic plan for technology transfer.

The 2022 Heartland Forward report ranked NDSURF sixth among university technology transfer departments based on its normalized measure of licenses and options issued, and 117th overall for licenses. In FY2023, NDSU received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) Hub, the Great Plains I-Corps Hub, which has boosted on-campus researcher-led commercialization activity. In FY2024, NDSU was awarded an NSF Engine, which could provide up to $160 million over 10 years for translational AgTech and related economic development. If funded, the third year of the NSF Engine will start in Spring 2026, and the Executive Director will play a key role in shaping the Engine's Translation into Practice (TIP) portfolio. Additionally, NDSU submitted an NSF Accelerating Research Translation (ART) proposal in January 2026.

NDSU's technologies include seed varieties, other agricultural products, and innovations in biosciences, materials sciences, engineering, and computer science. The Executive Director will join a vibrant city, state, and region dedicated to advancing research-driven innovation. The successful candidate will possess extensive experience managing the entire lifecycle of technology transfer and have the vision to expand the regional and national influence of NDSU's technology.

This position will require some travel, and the duty station is Fargo, ND. It is not a remote or hybrid position.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full life cycle of technology transfer activities generated by NDSU inventors, including hands-on direct involvement as needed.
  • Manage, encourage, and support the development, disclosure, and protection of NDSU's intellectual property, technology transfer, and patent applications.
    
    
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with NDSU's departments, colleges, and research centers to disseminate information regarding technology transfer and intellectual property, and serve as a compelling spokesperson to faculty, state legislators, and other stakeholders.
    
    
  • Manage the diverse intellectual property portfolio, including marketing strategy, identifying potential licensees, negotiating licensing contracts, and building long-term relationships with licensees and potential licensees.
    
    
  • Market and promote NDSU's technology portfolio through the NDSU Research Foundation, third-party platforms, and other venues for promotion, including contact management and/or technology categorization systems.
    
    
• Assess and evaluate the current policies and organization/workflow of NDSU and the NDSURF's technology transfer activities, from invention disclosure to intellectual property prosecution, marketing, and licensing and commercialization, identifying opportunities to align with academic-industry best practices and accelerate growth in licensing and key technology transfer metrics.
  
  
• Develop, lead, and implement a strategic plan for commercializing intellectual property developed through research activities at NDSU, in coordination with the Board.
  
  
• Drive robust campus and external engagement.
  • Liaise with and support local, state, regional, and national technology transfer and related organizations, as well as organizations aligned with NDSU, such as NDSU Business Development, the NDeavor TM Barry D. Batcheller Tech Park, and the NDSU Foundation.
    
    
  • Make connections inside the university and around the state by supporting and coordinating with other centers, programs, and activities in the university and community technology transfer spheres.
    
    
  • Cultivate and expand strategic partnerships with agricultural industry leaders, commodity organizations, agribusiness companies, and agricultural research institutions to accelerate the commercialization of NDSU's seed varietals, AgTech innovations, and other agriculture-related intellectual property.
    
    
• Oversee and manage the NDSURF budget, finances, and operations.
  • Design and implement strategies for obtaining pilot or prototype grants or other funding mechanisms supporting faculty, student and staff inventors.
    
    
• Provide leadership and guidance to technology transfer staff; assist in the management and oversight of daily operations.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: 40 hours/week (M-F: regular hours 8am-5pm, summer/winter break hours 7:30am-4pm)

Hiring Range: Minimum of $142,650 +/year. Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or Bachelor's and Juris Doctor Degree with significant experience negotiating technology commercialization agreements.
  
  
• Minimum of eight years of involvement and experience in technology transfer.
  
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with academic and industry audiences.
  
  
• Marketing and business development acumen, including expertise in the principles of licensing.
  
  
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, including the ability to work closely with external stakeholders and industry partners and teams within an organization by providing a strong customer-service orientation towards academic inventors.
  
  
• Proven experience with team building and management.
  
  
• Relevant knowledge of the sciences or experience working with scientists and engineers across disciplines.
  
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced degree (master's degree, juris doctorate, or a doctorate in Agriculture Sciences preferred).
  
  
• Director, assistant/associate director, or executive-level leadership experience in a technology transfer office in an academic setting.
  
  
• Three to five years of leadership experience in technology transfer.
  
  
• Experience managing non-profit budgets and finances.
  
  
• Demonstrated depth of leadership experience working in a Foundation technology transfer office with a Board of Directors.
  
  
• Employment experience involving direct reporting to and coordination with a Foundation or nonprofit Board of Directors.
  
  
• Thorough knowledge of patent prosecution, intellectual property law, and regulations regarding government-funded inventions (e.g., Bayh-Dole Act), including ensuring compliance with and adherence to those laws and regulations, while building trust and providing efficient and effective service to diverse constituents inside and outside of the organization.
  
  
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the areas of industry strengths in the region and/or at NDSU: agricultural products; biosciences and biotechnology; engineering; uncrewed autonomous systems; software; materials sciences; or agricultural technology.
  
  
• Experience in private industry related to technology transfer and intellectual property.
  
  
• Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) or Certified Licensing Professional (CLP).
  
  
  

APPLICATION PROCESS
Questions about the search can be directed to Val Kettner, ( View email address on click.appcast.io ), chair of the search committee. While applications will be accepted until the position is filled, full consideration will be given to candidates who submit application materials by 11:59 p.m. CT, Sunday, May 10, 2026. TechPipeline Recruiting Services is managing the recruiting process for this search, so all application materials MUST be submitted electronically to View email address on click.appcast.io . Please include a resum (not a CV), a cover letter individually addressing the minimum and preferred qualifications, and a listing of three professional references with your application materials.

Our commitment to caring for our employees isn't just words-it's proven. In NDSU's most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. " My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person " and " I have the opportunities to learn and grow", were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you'll experience here.

NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS!

Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.


Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

Health & Wellness

• 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
• Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
• Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
• Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation

Exceptional Retirement Plan

• Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26% , depending on position
  (One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.

Time Away & Support

• Generous annual leave , sick leave , and 10 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
• Supportive work-life balance

Education Benefits That Grow With You

• Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
• 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents

Additional Optional Benefits

• Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
• Supplemental Retirement Plans

Explore Full Benefit Details: Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU
About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.


NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.


NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.


NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io.

No Smoking Notice:


As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

Veteran's Preference Notice:


This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information:

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io .
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