Head of Technology Transfer – Life Sciences (m/f/d)

The Head of Technology Transfer in Life Sciences will lead the strategic management, development, and commercialization of innovative technologies emerging from research and development at CeMM. Recognized globally as a leader in academic entrepreneurship and societal impact, CeMM integrates cuttingedge biomedical research with translational science to transform discoveries into tangible health and technological advancements. This position will play a pivotal role in ensuring that CeMM continues to set benchmarks in driving innovation from the lab to the market.

In this role, you will foster collaborations between academia, industry, and internal stakeholders to translate CeMM's groundbreaking research into products, services, and partnerships that create real-world value. By advancing the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, this role will further solidify CeMM’s reputation as a hub for impactful scientific progress and leadership in the life sciences sector, help us to identify and devel the next cutting edge startup, continuing on the successful examples of Solgate, Proxygen, Myelopro, Allcyte, Haplogen.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for technology transfer aligned with organizational goals.
• Identify and prioritize high-potential technologies for development and commercialization.
• Contribute to European-wide best practices in technology transfer with EULIFE’s Technology Transfer working group

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Education:

• Design and deliver educational programs and workshops for employees, researchers, and trainees to foster entrepreneurial thinking.
• Mentor and guide researchers in understanding marketdriven innovation, business modeling, and startup formation.
• Promote a culture of innovation within the organization by hosting pitch sessions, hackathons

Partnerships and Collaboration:

• Establish and maintain partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry stakeholders
• Serve as the primary liaison between R&D teams and external collaborators to facilitate technology licensing, co-development, and strategic alliances.
• Maintain and negotiate agreements to ensure the safeguarding and value of CeMM inventions

Technology Assessment and Valuation:

• Proactive interaction with CeMM researchers and attending regular scientific update meetings.
• Identify and evaluate new discoveries for market potential, intellectual property strength, and alignment with market needs.
• Conduct due diligence to assess commercial viability and risks.

Intellectual Property Management:

• Together with leading IP firm Vossius and Partner oversee the protection of IP, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks
• Manage IP licensing agreements and alliance management

Business Development:

• Drive licensing and commercialization efforts, negotiating terms that maximize revenue and strategic positioning.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities, including grants, venture capital, and public-private partnerships

YOUR PROFILE

• Advanced degree (i.e Ph.D.) in either life sciences, computational, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in technology transfer, commercialization, or business
• development in the life science sector.
• Demonstrated success in managing IP portfolios and negotiating licensing agreements.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with academia and industry.
• Demonstrated success in mentoring and engagement with researchers
• Strong understanding of life sciences especially as related to CeMM’s research and cuttingedge science and market trends.
• Strong understanding of life sciences R&D processes and market dynamics.
• Expertise in intellectual property law, licensing, and contract negotiation.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute detailed plans.
• Leadership skills with experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Strong engagement and people focused
• Strong understanding of confidentiality principles and practic
• Proficient in handling strategic and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism

We offer

CeMM is a proud recipient of the HR Excellence in Research Award (HRS4R). This award demonstrates that CeMM cares about the well-being of its staff, that the recruitment process is open, fair, and transparent, and that CeMM provides professional appraisals and career development procedures. CeMM employs more than 300 members, including auxiliary groups, from 47 nationalities. The working language is English. The Institute promotes equal opportunities and is home to a mix of different talents, backgrounds, and competencies.

• Work in an experienced, interdisciplinary, and international team in one of Europe's leading research institutes.
• Plenty of opportunities to contribute and gain experience in a key area of biomedical research and precision medicine.
• A wide range of social, cultural and sports activities are organized by the Institute.
• Excellent benefits including full insurance coverage (health, accident, pension), healthcare service subsidized company cafeteria.
• Minimum gross monthly salary of EUR 4,800 paid 14 times a year 
• Normal working week is 40 hours. Core working time is the working time during which the employee must be present at the workplace. Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 15:00 and Friday from 09:00 to 13:00. A maximum of 1 home office day per calendar week may be us
• This role is based in Vienna, Austria. You will be required to relocate if you are based elsewhere, and you will receive a generous relocation allowance to support you.

Applications details

Please apply online (CLICK APPLY): your CV , cover letter and the contact details of 2 referees. Your cover letter should answer the following questions: 

• Based on this description and public information available, how would you add value to this role? 
• How would you interact with CeMM Faculty and researchers? 

Applications deadline: 19.01.2025

Start of work 01.03.2025

About The CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

The mission of CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, is to achieve maximum scientific innovation in molecular medicine for the improvement of health care. CeMM is international research institute and a founding member of EU-LIFE, an alliance of leading European life science institutes. At CeMM, an international and creative team of scientists and physicians pursue free basic research in the life sciences in a large and vibrant hospital environment with an outstanding medical tradition and practice. CeMM's research is based on post-genomic technologies and focuses on diseases of major societal importance, such as immune and infectious diseases, cancer, aging, and metabolic disorders. CeMM operates in a unique mode of super-collaboration, linking biology with medicine, experimentation with computation, discovery with translation, and science with society and the arts.

CeMM discovers and develops technologies to explore human biology with the aim of defeating disease at its roots. Science is our Medicine!CeMM discovers and develops technologies to explore human biology with the aim of defeating disease at its roots. Science is our Medicine!