Officer: Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer (Fixed term contract) - Kimberley at Sol Plaatje University

Position Specification    

• Data gathering and analysis
• Follow-up
• Project/programme administration (facilitating, reporting and analysing projects under supervision of a manager)
• Administrative job knowledge and skills
• Analytical thinking/ problem solving
• Building interpersonal relationships
• Client/ student services and support
• Communication
• Planning and organizing/ work management
• Teamwork/ collaboration
• Quality commitment/ work standards
• University awareness 

Minimum Requirements    

• A Relevant Diploma (NQF level 6)
• 2-3 years’ experience in an IP and Technology Transfer service/function
• An understanding of IP and TT within an academic environment
• Computer literate

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Identify and manage IP emanating from SPU.
• Conduct preliminary patent searches,
• Assess the potential of SPU technology to be protected
• Accurate and timeous recording of all invention disclosures, all relevant information in respect of IP in the portfolio, associated protecting filings and prosecution and maintenance thereof.
• Conduct IP due diligence.
• Develop and maintain an IP database, agreements and relationships as appropriate,
• Put in place a database for all IP for the university
• Conduct freedom to operate for the potential IP.
• Co-prepare reports to NIPMO with Senior Manager: I&TT
• Audit License agreement ‘s obligations and support the Senior Manager in implementing mitigating strategies.
• Build an awareness of organisational priorities for technology transfer
• Contribute to identifying research proposals and current research projects that have outputs that could potentially be commercialised
• Contribute to identifying useful IP in research outputs
• Collaborate with and support other research and knowledge transfer professionals in other institutions
• Build an understanding of the funding landscape across the research and innovation value chain
• Familiarise researchers with knowledge transfer approaches
• Build an understanding of organisational structures and processes for knowledge transfer
• Familiarise researchers with contracts management (e.g. due diligence)
• Develop relevant reports as and when required
• Communicate and consult with relevant stakeholders