PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The purpose of the position is to improve the impact of the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support Office by promoting NWU intellectual property (IP) policy and enabling commercialisation of technologies and innovations developed at NWU. The Senior Specialist: Commercialisation will be responsible for developing commercialisation strategies for NWU intellectual property (IP) and for managing a portfolio of early-stage up late-stage development projects, with responsibility for driving the commercialisation aspects. The incumbent will be expected to establish and manage working relations with NWU researchers and innovators, as well as with external partners including funders, commercialisation, and development partners. The incumbent will furthermore be required to closely collaborate with team members and colleagues within Technology Transfer and Innovation Support Office to achieve a common goal.

The support provided by the Senior Specialist: Commercialisation role extends across multidisciplinary functions including IP assessments, undertaking prior art searches, market assessments, stakeholder engagements, development of commercialisation strategies, performing due diligence exercises as well as promotion and marketing of NWU innovations. The successful incumbent for will be expected to be proficient in dealing with scientific and technical aspects of the job, integrated with solid business acumen and commercial skills. The job also requires strong written and oral communication skills.

Applicants must submit a self-written cover letter along with their CV as part of the job application. The cover letter should explain why they are suitable for the role and how their education, skills, and experience align with the job requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       Technology development support and pre-commercialisation activities

• Engaging with NWU research and innovation community to source appropriate innovation projects and maintaining a project pipeline.
• Exploring, identifying, and evaluating NWU technologies and innovations with prospects of intellectual property protection and commercialisation.
• Advising and engaging NWU researcher and innovators on opportunities for protection and commercialisation of NWU intellectual property.
• Handling, evaluating and finalising innovation disclosures.
• Facilitation of IP protection processes.
• Undertaking prior art searches and analysing petet landscapes.
• Performing competitive analyses and market research.
•  Fund-raising for technologies and innovation projects.
• Finding industry partners collaborative development of new products and solutions.

2.       Management of individual commercialisation projects and implementation strategy and transactions

• Critically assessing projects and innovations for commercially viability and licencing opportunities.
• Developing commercialisation roadmaps and understanding of current and future opportunities.
• Proactive identification of project risk and portfolio opportunities.
• Developing commercialisation strategies for innovations and technologies.
• Writing, re-modelling and/ or assessing proposals and business plans for technology development and commercialisation.
• Drive the execution of commercialisation strategies to deal conclusion.
• Evaluating IP using appropriate IP valuation methodologies.
• Engaging in structuring and negotiations of licencing agreements.

3.       Internal and External stakeholder engagements

• Visiting of NWU department/ unit/ entities to encourage and source from potential technologies/ new IP.
• Supporting the development of networks within technology industries.
• Maintaining relationship with external stakeholders such as funders, government agencies and industry partners.
• Developing and maintaining relevant stakeholder’s database (s).

4.       Marketing and promotion of innovations and technologies

• Implementation of marketing strategies to increase the visibility of NWU’s innovations and partnership opportunities for commercialisation.
• Preparation innovation and technology marketing material for publication on various platforms.
• Identifying and pursuing appropriate marketing for NWU innovations.

5.       Training and awareness

• Preparing and delivering presentations, webinars workshops on IP, technology transfer and commercialisation to various audience.

6.       Others

• Implementation of quality process and records management.

• 4-year bachelor or honours degree (NQF level 8) in any Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) field.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a technology commercialisation environment or new product development environment.
• At least 5 years’ experience in identifying and developing commercialisation opportunities based on research outputs /innovation and market needs.
•  A minimum of 3 years in managing projects in a research and innovation environment / new product development environment.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in writing funding applications and business proposals and securing such funding; managing budgets and financial projections.
• At least 3 years building and managing relationships with industry, government, and academia.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES / ADVANTAGEOUS

• Postgraduate qualification (NQF level 8) in Business, Finance or Project Management.
• Master’s degree (NQF level 9) in Engineering, Science or Business.
• Registration as Technology Transfer Professional or a candidate.
• Experience in managing a funding programmes / instrument.
• Experience in business incubation or start-up environment.
• Experience in organising and conducting training and education workshops on IP/ technology transfer.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent communication skills with clear evidence of effective presentation skills, proposal and report-writing skills, people management skills and the ability to converse authoritatively and persuasively with a range of stakeholders at all levels.
• Effective communicator and networker able to establish and develop a network of commercialisation, industry and investment networks.
• Analytical skills for prior art searching, market research and due diligence.
• Scientific and technical training and ability to translate technical and scientific language to non-academic audiences. Practical experience of the product development cycle.
• Knowledge of the regulatory framework for intellectual property management and commercialisation.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Must be a self-starter, capable of prioritising and setting own working strategies and practices with the minimum of supervision/guidance and actively able to seek information from internal or external sources as required.
• Must be a team player able to work collaboratively with others to disseminate and share knowledge and information.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• People Leadership: Making decision; Empowering individuals; Challenging ideas; Directing people; Convincing people; Interacting with people.
• Personal Leadership: Embracing change; Thinking positively; Showing composure; Understanding people; Valuing individual; Team working; Value aligned with organisation’s values; Adaptability and Flexibility.

REMUNERATION:

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                            Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa, Tel: 018 299 4902

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:        Ms Dolly Lebepe, Tel: 018 299 4936

CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                             27 October 2024

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:                                                                   01 January 2025

Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan. 

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.