Manager, Technology Licensing – Physical Science

The USC Stevens Center for Innovation seeks outstanding candidates for the position of Licensing Manager in engineering and physical sciences.

The USC Stevens Center is a university-wide resource whose mission is to help USC innovators make maximum impact with their ideas. As part of this role, the USC Stevens Center manages the university’s intellectual property portfolio stemming from USC’s approximately $1 billion in annual research expenditures and manages related patenting, technology marketing, licensing, and new venture development activity aimed at transitioning the university innovations into commercial applications for the benefit of society. Licensing Managers play a key role in supporting these efforts.

The best candidates will have an advanced degree in either chemistry, material sciences, applied physics, or engineering (preferably electrical engineering), a passion for emerging technologies, very strong organization and communication skills, and a desire to learn and grow. Prior licensing and/or technology assessment experience is preferred but not required. This position provides an opportunity for an entrepreneurial-minded physical science graduate to play an active and critical role as new technologies go from idea to market. This opportunity will allow you to contribute to new approaches in innovation management and licensing within an already bold and forward-thinking academic institution!

Job Accountabilities:

• In this role you will manage a portfolio of University-owned engineering and physical sciences inventions and support intellectual property development, protection, marketing and licensing. You will interact with faculty and researchers and learn about exciting new technologies in the areas of electronics, telecommunications technologies, computing and big data analytics, energy, nanotechnology, and advanced materials. Specifically, you will have the following responsibilities:
• Assisting with the assessment of inventions and identification of commercial applications through research and analysis of markets, competitive technologies, prior art, and patent landscape;
• Manage a portfolio of university inventions;
• Identify potential commercial applications and business partners for university inventions;
• Market university inventions through multiple channels to prospects capable of bringing the inventions to market;
• Negotiate and complete non-complex licenses and related agreements, including the development of business terms and overseeing internal diligence procedures prior to agreement signing;
• Assist in the management of complex intellectual property portfolios;
• Coordinate efforts on a wide range of activities with other USC Stevens staff members, university researchers, business partners, law firms, and others; tracking activities in databases and ensuring that information is up to date; and
• Contribute to ongoing process improvement to enable the USC Stevens Center to deliver high-quality, professional service to a growing base of inventors and business partners.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

Education

• PhD in a physical sciences field
  
  
  

Experience

• 1 year of experience in a corporate or university technology transfer and business development setting;
• Ability to gather information and perform research utilizing databases and other online sources;
• Experience directly relevant to evaluating the market potential of early-stage software and inventions in engineering/physical sciences industries, and identifying commercial potential;
• Understanding of the patent prosecution process;
• Highly self-motivated with outstanding organization and time management skills;
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and complete projects on a timely basis, working both independently and as part of a team;
• Eager to take ownership of projects;
• Requires a high level of attention to detail;
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to convey technical concepts;
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with collaborators;
• Customer service oriented; and
• Demonstrated perseverance and problem-solving skills.
  
  
  

Field Of Expertise

• Knowledge of patent and contract law
• Business Development experience
  
  
  

Application Procedure

As part of the application, candidates must upload one document file (Word or PDF) that contains the following: 1) a cover letter, 2) Resume (including telephone and e-mail address).

The annual base salary range for this position is $97,263.28 - $110,000.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Minimum Experience: 1 year Additional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience Minimum Skills: - Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or engineering discipline. - Technology commercialization experience, with proven evidence of leading and executing numerous moderately complex licensing deals. - Demonstrated financial management and software skills. - Demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate, and interact with internal constituencies, external business partners, and senior leadership. - Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, and attention to detail. - Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, leading and owning time-sensitive and complex projects from inception to completion.

Job ID REQ20170049 Posted Date 12/13/2025

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