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Position Summary:
This position is co-funded by Axelys, a non-profit organization whose mission is to contribute to the economic and social prosperity of Québec by accelerating the development and transfer of high potential innovations stemming from public research. The Technology Transfer Manager will provide progress reports to Axelys and McGill University Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. The technology transfer manager works closely with the Research and Innovation teams and has reporting obligations to the Associate Director, Technology Transfer.
The Technology Transfer Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of reported inventions, its intellectual property assets and supporting the commercialization of discoveries arising from university research activities. The Technology Transfer Manager will work closely with faculty members, researchers, industry partners, investors, and entrepreneurs to maximize the impact and value of university-generated innovations through intellectual property protection, licensing, industry partnerships, and start-up creation.
The Technology Transfer Manager serves as a key liaison between the research community and external stakeholders, providing strategic guidance on commercialization opportunities and facilitating the translation of research discoveries into products, services, and companies that generate societal and economic impact.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Serve as primary contact for Axelys to ensure funding opportunities managed by Axelys, their calls for proposal and business intelligence specifics are appropriately disseminated in the university research community.
- Meet with researchers on a regular basis to provide general information and advice on the commercialization process, in order to encourage and ensure reporting of inventions and foster their success in a commercial environment.
- Identify technologies with commercial potential. Provide early assessment of an invention’s commercial potential and the opportunity to pursue intellectual property protection.
- Monitor and manage a portfolio of on-going reports of invention, patents, licenses and other commercialization-related activities.
- Perform market and competitive landscape assessments and determine patentability and commercialization pathways.
- Manage patent filings with external patent agents.
- Identify potential licensees for the inventions through networking, database searches, and partnership activities and actively promote inventions to external stakeholders, including pharmaceutical and biotech companies, venture capital funds, and others.
- Facilitate the creation of spinoffs by researchers, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows by connecting them to mentors, coaches, and other resources available or through Axelys and McGill.
- Draft, review and negotiate commercialisation related agreements and legal documents.
- Provide senior professional expertise to the various Vice-President Research and Innovation teams through the review, interpretation, and negotiation of IP-related terms in research agreements and grants.
- Provide activity and other reports to the Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation and Axelys as required.
- Attend and participate in meetings, workshops and events organized by Axelys (entirely in French).
Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities
- Master's degree, PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced training in a scientific, technical, or health-sciences related discipline.
- Minimum of five years of experience in technology transfer, intellectual property management, licensing, business development, commercialization, or a related field.
- Experience working within a university, research institution, hospital, or innovation ecosystem is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of intellectual property principles, including patents and copyrights.
- Proven experience in reviewing and negotiating IP related agreements.
- A strong understanding of the university technology transfer process and policies is an asset.
- Expertise in life sciences and medicine related fields.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-management abilities.
- Fully bilingual in English and French, both verbal and written (language testing could be required).
- Proven ability to work within a complex policy and procedure framework.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:
- Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
- Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
- Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
- Competitive vacation policy
- Two (2) personal days
- Two (2) floating holidays
- Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
- Paid time off over the December holiday period
- Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
- Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits
Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.
For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree 5 Years Related Experience /
(MPEX Grade 07) $92,150.00 - $115,190.00 - $138,230.00
Job Profile:
MPEX-ADM3A - General Administration - Senior Professional/Manager
33.75 (Full time)
Assoc Dir Technology Transfer
Position End Date (If applicable):
2027-10-31
2026-10-23
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.