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Director of Innovation Partnerships - NC PSI
Job Description
Posting Number
PG192257EPInternal Recruitment
NoWorking Title
Director of Innovation Partnerships - NC PSIAnticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate with ExperienceWork Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pmJob Location
Raleigh, NCDepartment
Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI)About the Department
The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) supports wide-ranging research, education and training, and extension by creating an environment and culture in which such learning activities can thrive through the convergence of interdisciplinary collaborations. Headquartered in the new NC State University Plant Sciences Building (opening early 2022), this new research and application ecosystem combines world-class assets from across a wide spectrum of disciplines including plant sciences, engineering, economics, modeling, and data analytics. The N.C. PSI builds partnerships among academia, industry, and government to maximize understanding of the challenges and opportunities, and ensure rapid delivery of solutions.
Essential Job Duties
North Carolina State University has embarked on a visionary NC Plant Sciences Initiative (NC PSI) which will directly address the grand challenges of agriculture and provide solutions for a growing world. The NC PSI will support wide-ranging, innovative research in the plant sciences by creating an entrepreneurial and collaborative environment and culture that will thrive through the convergence of cross university, interdisciplinary, team-based science. This new research and application ecosystem will combine world-class assets and researchers from across a wide spectrum of disciplines including the agricultural sciences, engineering, modeling, data analytics, economics and social sciences and through strong links with our extension services. It will build partnerships among academia, industry, the investment community and government to maximize the understanding of the challenges and opportunities in agriculture and the environment, and ensure rapid delivery of solutions. The NC PSI will be headquartered in a world-class 185,000 ft2 Plant Sciences Building (PSB) that recently opened on NC State’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh. The PSB will serve as a platform for success and attract the best and brightest minds to North Carolina.
The Director of Innovation Partnerships supports the efforts of the NC PSI through the creation and management of research and business partnerships that support the goals and mission of the NC PSI. The successful candidate will report to the Executive Director of the NC PSI and be primarily located at the Plant Sciences Building (PSB) on Centennial Campus. The role is estimated to require approximately 10% of time dedicated to national and international travel.
This position will have responsibility to (i) collaborate with NC PSI Platform Directors, faculty and research staff to maintain a broad understanding of on-going and potential inter-disciplinary plant science projects and programs under the umbrella of the NC PSI while continuously assessing commercial opportunities for which NC PSI research can be leveraged (ii) work with established Partner tenants within the PSB to facilitate interactions with researchers and seek opportunities to strengthen collaborative efforts (iii) work closely with the Director of Research Partnerships in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Office of Partnerships to identify and secure new industry partnerships, collaborations and partnership models for the NC PSI, and (iv) work with the Office of Research Commercialization (ORC) to advise, facilitate and support scaling and commercialization of NC PSI innovations.
Primary functions:
Primary functions:
- Identify and engage with the broadest set of industry, government and academic partners across the agriculture & food and adjacent sectors in order to advance NC PSI research goals and support translation of NC PSI innovations across Technology Readiness Levels from very basic research (TRL1-3) into technologies or approaches that improve agriculture, the environment and/or rural community development.
- Develop creative partnership models that enhance the ability of NC PSI and NC State University to connect with partners with successful outcomes that comply.
- Develop strong relationships and provide a concierge service for industry partners who are tenants within the PSB.
- Bring to fruition sponsored research, strategic collaboration, and various other agreements to support and enhance NC PSI research programs in a robust and sustainable manner with both monetary and non-monetary resources.
- Maintain current understanding of agriculture, AgTech. and Biotech., and high-tech market trends and needs, and connect them to NC PSI ongoing or potential research programs.
- Foster an entrepreneurial culture for the NC PSI, and liaise with the Office of Research Commercialization (ORC) and create and maintain relationships with entrepreneurs/mentors in residence, industry, venture capital and angel groups on potential spin-outs from NC PSI projects and programs.
- Assist in the training of faculty to scout their research portfolios for commercial opportunities.
- Provide a bridge to ORC for licensing and commercializing opportunities for NC PSI’s innovations.
- Ensure that any transactions appropriately protect NC State University intellectual property rights under guidance from ORC.
- Maintain a general understanding of NC State’s contract mechanisms in collaboration with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS).
- Act as primary business relationship manager with academic and industry collaborators and track contract obligations.
- Support NC PSI leadership and team members to manage, track and report progress of research collaboration programs to external collaborators.
- Design and conduct events within the PSB to foster and enhance relationships between partners and NC PSI faculty, staff and researchers.
- Work in tandem with other university associated entities, such as the NC Food Innovation Lab, to identify broader partnerships across the food chain.
Key stakeholders:
- Director of CALS Research Partnerships, Office of Partnerships, Office of Research Commercialization, Office of Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS), Poole School of Management, Wolfpack Investor Network, NC PSI Platform Directors, NC PSI-based researchers, administration, faculty, staff, and students across key Colleges and Departments.
- PSB industry tenants, industry technology scouts and open innovation managers, liaison managers for national and international academic and government institutions, entrepreneurs/mentors in residence, venture capital and angel group investors.
At present, this position has funding for three (3) years. However, the position has the potential for extension dependent on funding.
Other Responsibilities
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education and Experience
- Post-baccalaureate degree in a relevant science or technology area with a strong grasp of scientific language and concepts.
- Experience in alliance management and partnership development including the ability to establish contacts, develop relationships and mutually beneficial agreements.
- A proven track record of entrepreneurial and innovative accomplishments.
- Familiarity with both academic and industry research settings.
Other Required Qualifications
- Broad awareness of the data driven sciences, plant science and agricultural production systems.
- A current and well-developed network with relevant industrial partners.
- Ability to work in a cross functional environment with proven ability to act diplomatically with partners, faculty, researchers and key university stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of intellectual property, patent law, and the ability to manage confidential information and situations.
- Demonstration of a visionary thinker and implementer.
Preferred Qualifications
N/A
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
- Valid NC Driver’s License of the ability to obtain on within 60 days of hire.
The position will need to drive to meetings on and off campus to meet with potential partners, events, etc.
Valid NC Driver's License required
YesCommercial Driver's License required
NoJob Open Date
12/02/2022Anticipated Close Date
Open until filled.Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach a Cover Letter, CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
Position Number
00109802Position Type
EHRA Non-FacultyFull Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.00Appointment
12 Month RecurringMandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse WeatherMandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Mandatory - Medical EmergenciesIs this position partially or fully funded on ARRA stimulus monies?
NoDepartment ID
113001 - Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI)AA/EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
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