Program Associate Industry Outreach

Overview

Program Associate – Technology Transfer Industry Outreach

Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000 annually

Grant-funded position for one year, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding.

The Program Associate will be an integral member of the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) within the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Partnerships (E&IP) supporting outreach and engagement of external industry stakeholders to support technology commercialization and university-industry collaboration. The TTO oversees intellectual property management and commercialization of university-based research and development (R&D) inventions, including programs that promote industry partnerships, customer discovery, technology development, and entrepreneurship training.

This position will help connect the University’s intellectual assets with companies, investors, and entrepreneurs to foster applied research, licensing, and startup formation. The role also offers a strong professional development opportunity for individuals interested in technology transfer, innovation management, and industry relations.

• Technology Marketing and Partnerships
• Identify potential licensees or development partners
• Develop and distribute marketing materials to promote university inventions to potential company partners
• Collaborate with inventors to refine value propositions and prepare outreach campaigns that communicate the commercial relevance of university technologies
• Engage and maintain relationships with relevant industry stakeholders to gather feedback on university technologies and research capabilities, for evaluation and to promote research translation synergies
• Represent the office at internal and external events to promote private-sector partnerships
• Program Support & Coordination
• Assist in managing communications, scheduling meetings, and tracking engagement metrics related to industry interactions and technology marketing activities
• Support program and reporting by compiling and organizing data on faculty participation, startup engagement, and external partnerships; assist in preparing periodic reports, presentations, and success stories

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in industry relations, technology transfer, research commercialization, or high-tech startup engagement
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with faculty, staff, senior administrators, and external partners
• Highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and online video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams)
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident (no visa sponsorship available)

• Advanced STEM degree (MS or PhD)
• Experience with customer discovery, the NSF I-Corps program, or similar innovation and entrepreneurship training initiatives
• Familiarity with intellectual property, patent processes, or technology marketing
• Experience organizing or supporting industry-facing events or partnership development activities
• Demonstrated success working within innovation ecosystems, startups, or research commercialization environments