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Syracuse University

Associate Director of Technology Transfer

🇺🇸 Syracuse, NY 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $125K - $145K 💻 Information Technology 🗓️ January 26th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Syracuse University is hiring an Associate Director of Technology Transfer. This role involves managing the commercialization of university intellectual property, overseeing patent procurement and licensing, supporting faculty startups, and leading the day-to-day operations of the Office of Technology Transfer while reporting to the Executive Director.

Highlights
  • Manage full intellectual property lifecycle including invention disclosures, patent prosecution, and licensing.
  • Oversee IP portfolio strategy and negotiate complex technology transfer agreements.
  • Develop marketing and commercialization pathways for university-owned innovations.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant laws and university policies related to technology transfer.
  • Lead daily operations of the Office of Technology Transfer and supervise staff.
  • Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, investors, accelerators, and economic development organizations.
  • Support startup formation, funding, and commercialization strategies for university technologies.
  • Engage faculty to identify innovations with commercial potential and provide education on IP and commercialization.
  • Required qualifications include a JD or PhD in STEM, business, or related field and over 5 years of experience in technology transfer or related areas.
  • Knowledge of U.S. patent law (Bayh-Dole), licensing negotiations, IP management software (e.g., Inteum, Sophia, Wellspring), and federal funding mechanisms (SBIR/STTR) is essential.
  • Compensation ranges from $125,000 to $145,000 annually.

Associate Director of Technology Transfer Full Description

Associate Director of Technology Transfer
 Posting Details 
Job #  | 042528
Department Code  | 20313-2243
Department  | Academic Affairs
Job Title  | Associate Director of Technology Transfer
Location  | Syracuse, NY
Campus  | Syracuse, NY
Commitment to On-Campus Experience  | Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range  | $125,000 - $145,000
Pay Determination  | Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level  | S5
FLSA Status  | Exempt
Hours  | Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type  | Full-time
Unionized Position Code  | Not Applicable

Job Description  | Syracuse University seeks a visionary and experienced Associate Director of Technology Transfer to support its technology commercialization enterprise. The Associate Director will assist the Executive Director with the University’s efforts to commercialize intellectual property (IP) and support the translation of university-owned innovations having meaningful societal and economic impact. The ideal candidate will bring significant university-based technology transfer experience, including patent procurement and management, drafting and negotiating licenses and other contracts, business and industry development related to faculty start-ups, and meaningful management skills. The Associate Director will handle the day-to-day operations of the Office of Technology Transfer and report directly to the Executive Director.
Education and Experience  | JD or PhD in a STEM field, business, or a related discipline. 5+ years of progressive experience in technology transfer, intellectual property, licensing, or university industry relations.
Skills and Knowledge  | Strong understanding of US patent and technology commercialization law (e.g., Bayh-Dole), and current trends, policies and best practices affecting university technology transfer and commercialization. Proven experience identifying commercialization pathways and negotiating complex licensing and related agreements. Demonstrated ability to assess and prioritize a diverse IP portfolio and market university technologies. Experience leading a tech transfer office or managing professional staff in a research university setting. Familiarity with federal funding mechanisms (e.g., SBIR/STTR), research compliance, and start up incubation. Experience with IP management software in metrics platforms (e.g., Inteum, Sophia, Wellspring). Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to build trust and credibility with faculty, legal counsel, and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities  | Intellectual Property Procurement, Management and Licensing/Contracts: Manage the full IP lifecycle including invention disclosure procurement and assessment for commercial potential, patent prosecution, and licensing. Oversee IP portfolio strategy, prepare and assist with negotiation of complex technology transfer agreements in collaboration with Executive Director and other stakeholders. Evaluate market and commercialization pathways for university inventions developing marketing and deployment strategies for translating high-value technologies. Collaborate with the Executive Director and General Counsel’s Office to prepare and negotiate a wide range of complex agreements, including inter-institutional agreements, license agreements, option agreements, material transfer agreements, and the like to facilitate effective technology commercialization. Collaborate with the Executive Director and other stakeholders to develop and grow existing strategic relationships, both internally and externally, including other universities, industry partners, and other economic development ecosystem partners to translate technology across a variety of market sectors.  Compliance, Strategic Planning, Oversight and Metrics: Ensure technology transfer operations are compliant with applicable law and regulations. Manage day-to-day operations. Supervise one direct report, manage finances, including budgets and accounting, track KPI’s (e.g., disclosures, patents, revenue), ensure close collaboration with university stakeholders, including preparation of reports to the university leadership. Support development and revision of Office and university IP policies and protocols. Deliver high-quality service to faculty accelerating effective and efficient technology translation. Industry Partnerships & External Outreach, Startup Support: The Associate Director has a pivotal role at the intersection of research, innovation, and faculty and industry engagement. Collaborate with university stakeholders to build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, investors, accelerators, and economic development organizations to facilitate licensing, sponsored research, and other collaborative opportunities. Collaborate with stakeholders to provide support for startup formation, funding, and commercialization strategies for SU technologies. Promote SU innovations to external audiences. Research Engagement: Actively engage faculty to identify innovations with commercial potential. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders (e.g., Innovation Law Center) to educate researchers on IP, commercialization, and university policies. Work with faculty to evaluate invention disclosures and assess their commercial potential and develop marketing and deployment strategies for translating technologies to market. Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements  | Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment  | Not Applicable
Application Instructions  | In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University  | Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area  | Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement  | Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans  | Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community  | Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.


Quick Link  | https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/112172
Job Posting Date  | 01/23/2026
Application Deadline  |
Full Consideration By  |
Job Category  | Staff
Message to Applicants  | 
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * How did you first find out about this position? 
    • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
    • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
    • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
    • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
    • Women’s Opportunity Center
    • Jubilee Homes
    • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
    • Interfaith Works
    • JobPlus
    • Syracuse.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • Indeed.com
    • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
    • LinkedIn Job Posting
    • Facebook
    • Job Fair
    • Search Firm
    • Referred by an SU Employee
    • Other
  2.  If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position. 
    (Open Ended Question)

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