INNOVATION & COMMERCIALIZATION SPECIALIST- FOOD & NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES

Job no: 98874-AS
Work type: Staff-Part Time
Department:VCRGE/DISCOVERY TO PRODUCT
Location: Madison
Categories: Food Science, Nutritional Science, Other

Position Summary:

The Discovery to Product (D2P) Initiative is a partnership between UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) with a shared goal of increasing the number of successful innovations, licenses, products, and companies derived from UW-Madison research. D2P serves as a source of information and guidance for campus leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs and strives to create systems and connections that ensure a seamless process of commercialization for innovators from idea through license, product, or company launch. It facilitates and leverages the existing set of technology commercialization resources available to UW-Madison and works to expand significantly the access to key commercialization resources that are currently limited, including investment capital and proven entrepreneurial talent. Through these efforts, and the efforts of other university colleagues and affiliated organizations, D2P supports a mutually held aspiration to transform the UW-Madison culture to one that nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship as a means to transition university research and knowledge creation to societal and commercial benefits or products.

Historically, D2P has had five technology focus areas: Engineering and Physical Sciences, Agriculture, Medical Devices, Computer and Information Technology, and Biotech-Pharmacology. Innovation and Commercialization Specialists have been required to be a subject matter expert with commercial experience in one of these five focus areas. Because UW-Madison has a strong research and innovation portfolio associated with food and nutritional science and the meat and dairy industry, D2P is is adding food and nutritional science as a sixth technology focus area. This position will focus on food and nutritional sciences commercialization projects, including meat science and dairy research, and other consumer products across campus such as those occurring in the School of Human Ecology. Under the general supervision of the Director of D2P, the Innovation and Commercialization Specialist works independently, and is responsible for providing a broad range of services and information to campus and off-campus stakeholders and clients.

The Innovation and Commercialization Specialist must have the ability and mindset to work with campus leaders, affiliated organizations, community and government partners, innovators, and technical project teams in the selected technical area and provide meaningful input and guidance to those constituencies. This position requires a blend of technical expertise in one of the focus technology disciplines with experience in company formation and commercialization in that same discipline. Good judgment, excellent problem solving and communication skills are required as well as strong facilitation, consultation and convening skills and experience. Training experience is a plus.

Position Duties:

List of Duties

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Degree and Area of Specialization:

A Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree, MBA, J.D. or Ph D is preferred

Minimum Years and Type of Relevant Work Experience:

-Minimum 7 years relevant work experience required
-Technical knowledge of the innovation and business creation process, landscape, and market for technology in a discipline related to food or nutritional science (Food, Nutrition, Meat, Dairy), required
-Experience with firms and projects closely related to food, nutrition, meat or dairy industries
-Startup or early stage company experience
-Knowledge and experience with the technology licensing process, details and realities of start-up formation and raising of equity capital
-Ability to work and communicate with a technical project team and to contribute to the management of the project toward commercialization
-History of excellent executive and management skills that are translatable to practical lessons and advice for innovators and entrepreneurs
-Ability to inspire, communicate, and collaborate with a broad range of University and non-University stakeholders including university leaders, faculty, staff, students, affiliated organizations, community and industry partners, and governmental leaders
-Skilled at managing multiple, concurrent projects, meeting deadlines, and attention to detail required
-Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills required. Must collaborate effectively by: contributing positively to the success of the project team; treating others with respect, courtesy and professionalism; being open to feedback; and able to effectively confront and resolve conflict and establish trust and mutual respect
-Ability to work independently as well as function effectively in a team and within a diverse group of people
-Experience and expertise with understanding complex technical issues and conveying them clearly in technical and business formats to various audiences
-Experience as a facilitator, instructor or trainer

Department(s):

A347600-VCRGE/DISCOVERY TO PRODUCT

Work Type:

Part Time: 50%

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $110,400 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications

Instructions to Applicants:

Please click "Apply Now" to begin the application process. Applicants will be asked to upload a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please describe your knowledge and experience as they relate to the position and qualifications

Contact:

Jesse Lynch
jesse.lynch@wisc.edu
608-890-0904
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1 (out-of-state: TTY: 800.947.3529, STS: 800.833.7637) and above Phone number (See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. )

Official Title:

SR ADMIN PRGM SPEC(R07BN)

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

98874-AS

The University of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://oed.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

Applications Open: May 24 2019 Central Daylight Time
Applications Close: Jun 21 2019 11:55 PM Central Daylight Time