Commercialisation Officer at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

The CSIR has two temporary vacancies for Commercialisation Officers in the Mining, Manufacturing, Defence and Security Division . The incumbent(s) will be responsible for supporting and implementing the commercialisation strategy and drive various initiatives for the Division. These positions are based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the structuring, negotiation and closing of commercialisation transactions involving advanced technologies;
• Undertake due diligence exercises, including market assessments, IP assessments, financial modelling, and business case development;
• Evaluate the strength and advancement of the research relating to inventions and assess commercial potential;
• Conduct research related to products/ technologies, market sectors, companies and competing technologies and present findings and recommendations for implementation
• Undertake valuations/ financial analysis of commercial opportunities using appropriate tools and techniques;
• Develop, recommend and implement commercialisation strategies for inventions and technologies at varying stages of maturity; evaluate capital needs, market potential and return on investment ; interact effectively with the research community, attorneys, external business professionals, financiers and corporate partners;
• Assist with packaging technology / intellectual property (IP) for commercialisation and develop commercialisation / business cases in collaboration with technical and support teams;
• Participate in determining appropriate commercialisation pathways, including venture creation;
• Identify appropriate funding for taking inventions to market;
• Draft terms of reference for EoIs/RFPs for commercialisation partners/licensees, service providers, coordinating selection and recruitment of suppliers, etc.
• Ongoing administration, monitoring and evaluation of the divisionalportfolio of commercialisation projects, facilitating the execution of commercialisation plans
• Participate in reviewing of proposals, agreements and legal documentation and making recommendations;
• Manage project information and communication with various stakeholders and assist with reporting and compliance, e.g. quarterly, NIPMO.
   

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in sciences, engineering, or business related with at least three years’ experience in industry /commercialisation , Technology/lP and project management/ private equity or related;
• A Post Graduate qualification in intellectual property, technology transfer, technology management, or relevant qualification;
• Relevant industry experience in Research Development and Innovation and also commercialisation;
• Knowledge and networks for technology commercialisation and resource mobilisation;
• Relevant industry experience, knowledge and expertise in the development of commercialisation strategies, business cases, valuation, deal structuring and negotiation;
• Stakeholder management and industry-related networks;
• Excellent communicator with strong, demonstrable business acumen; and
• Strong people management and organisational development skills.