About Chalimbana University

Chalimbana University is a higher learning institution committed to quality education, research, innovation and community engagement. Through its research and innovation activities, the University seeks to promote the development, protection and commercialisation of knowledge and technologies that contribute to national development.

About the Role

Chalimbana University is inviting applications for the position of Technology Transfer Officer.

The successful candidate will spearhead the University's Technology Transfer Office, supporting the identification, protection, management and commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) generated through University research and innovation.

The role will also involve building strategic partnerships with industry, government and other stakeholders to transform research outputs into practical solutions, societal benefits and sustainable revenue for the University.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technology Transfer Planning and Administration

• Prepare departmental work plans and contribute to the development and implementation of intellectual property policies and procedures.
• Support the effective operation and management of the University's Technology Transfer Office.
• Coordinate activities aimed at strengthening research commercialisation and innovation management.

2. Identification and Assessment of Intellectual Property

• Identify, screen and evaluate research outputs, inventions and innovations generated by University staff and students.
• Assess the technical and commercial potential of research outputs and innovative ideas.
• Identify opportunities for protecting and commercialising intellectual property.

3. Intellectual Property Protection and Management

• Coordinate the protection of intellectual property, including patents, utility models, copyrights, industrial designs, trademarks and plant varieties.
• Liaise with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) and other relevant institutions on IP registration and protection.
• Maintain proper records of intellectual property disclosures and protection activities.

4. Commercialisation of Research and Innovation

• Develop and facilitate commercialisation strategies for University research outputs.
• Support technology licensing, spin-offs, start-ups and joint venture arrangements.
• Identify opportunities to convert research findings and innovations into marketable products, services and technologies.
• Promote the practical application of University research in industry and society.

5. Industry Partnerships and Agreement Management

• Engage industry, government institutions, development partners and investors to establish strategic collaborations.
• Build relationships that support technology transfer, research commercialisation and innovation development.
• Draft and negotiate licensing agreements, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, collaborative research agreements and technology transfer agreements in coordination with the University's legal services.

6. Innovation Development and Incubation

• Support the development of prototypes and proof-of-concept projects.
• Facilitate innovation incubation activities in collaboration with the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) and the University's Innovation and Incubation Unit.
• Promote entrepreneurship and innovation among University staff and students.

7. Awareness, Training and Capacity Building

• Organise awareness and training programmes on intellectual property, innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Support researchers and students in understanding IP protection and commercialisation processes.
• Promote a culture of innovation and technology transfer within the University.

8. Innovation Records and External Collaboration

• Maintain an inventory and database of intellectual property, innovations, disclosures and agreements.
• Liaise with the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) and other national and international innovation organisations.
• Identify funding and partnership opportunities that support technology development and commercialisation.

9. Budgeting and Reporting

• Participate in the preparation and management of departmental budgets.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports on technology transfer, intellectual property and commercialisation activities.
• Perform other lawful duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Grade 12 School Certificate with at least five (5) credits, including English and Mathematics.
• Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Technology, Law, Business Administration or a related field from a recognised institution.
• A Master's Degree in Intellectual Property, Innovation Management, Business Administration (MBA), Science, Engineering or a related field will be an added advantage.
• Training or certification in intellectual property management and technology transfer will be an added advantage. WIPO Academy courses are particularly relevant.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in technology transfer, intellectual property management, innovation, research commercialisation or business development.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.

Required Skills and Competencies

Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Knowledge

• Good understanding of intellectual property laws, protection and management practices.
• Knowledge of technology transfer and research commercialisation processes.
• Ability to identify and assess intellectual property opportunities.

Business Development and Commercialisation Skills

• Ability to evaluate the technical and commercial potential of research outputs.
• Strong business development, negotiation and marketing skills.
• Ability to establish and manage partnerships with industry, government and other stakeholders.
• Understanding of licensing, start-ups, spin-offs and joint venture arrangements.

Project Management and Analytical Skills

• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Good analytical, research and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prepare technical and commercial reports.
• Ability to manage multiple innovation and commercialisation initiatives.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with researchers, students, investors, industry partners and government institutions.

Personal and Professional Attributes

• Entrepreneurial, innovative and results-oriented mindset.
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in computer applications and relevant patent and market search databases.

Terms and Conditions of Service

The appointment will be made in accordance with Chalimbana University's appointment guidelines and will be subject to a three-month probation period, during which satisfactory performance will be assessed.

The University offers attractive and competitive remuneration commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and experience.

Chalimbana University is an equal opportunity employer.

• Prepare departmental work plans and contribute to the development and implementation of intellectual property policies and procedures.
• Support the effective operation and management of the University's Technology Transfer Office.
• Coordinate activities aimed at strengthening research commercialisation and innovation management.
• Identify, screen and evaluate research outputs, inventions and innovations generated by University staff and students.
• Assess the technical and commercial potential of research outputs and innovative ideas.
• Identify opportunities for protecting and commercialising intellectual property.
• Coordinate the protection of intellectual property, including patents, utility models, copyrights, industrial designs, trademarks and plant varieties.
• Liaise with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) and other relevant institutions on IP registration and protection.
• Maintain proper records of intellectual property disclosures and protection activities.
• Develop and facilitate commercialisation strategies for University research outputs.
• Support technology licensing, spin-offs, start-ups and joint venture arrangements.
• Identify opportunities to convert research findings and innovations into marketable products, services and technologies.
• Promote the practical application of University research in industry and society.
• Engage industry, government institutions, development partners and investors to establish strategic collaborations.
• Build relationships that support technology transfer, research commercialisation and innovation development.
• Draft and negotiate licensing agreements, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, collaborative research agreements and technology transfer agreements in coordination with the University's legal services.
• Support the development of prototypes and proof-of-concept projects.
• Facilitate innovation incubation activities in collaboration with the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) and the University's Innovation and Incubation Unit.
• Promote entrepreneurship and innovation among University staff and students.
• Organise awareness and training programmes on intellectual property, innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Support researchers and students in understanding IP protection and commercialisation processes.
• Promote a culture of innovation and technology transfer within the University.
• Maintain an inventory and database of intellectual property, innovations, disclosures and agreements.
• Liaise with the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) and other national and international innovation organisations.
• Identify funding and partnership opportunities that support technology development and commercialisation.
• Participate in the preparation and management of departmental budgets.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports on technology transfer, intellectual property and commercialisation activities.
• Perform other lawful duties as may be assigned.

• Good understanding of intellectual property laws, protection and management practices.
• Knowledge of technology transfer and research commercialisation processes.
• Ability to identify and assess intellectual property opportunities.
• Ability to evaluate the technical and commercial potential of research outputs.
• Strong business development, negotiation and marketing skills.
• Ability to establish and manage partnerships with industry, government and other stakeholders.
• Understanding of licensing, start-ups, spin-offs and joint venture arrangements.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Good analytical, research and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prepare technical and commercial reports.
• Ability to manage multiple innovation and commercialisation initiatives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with researchers, students, investors, industry partners and government institutions.
• Entrepreneurial, innovative and results-oriented mindset.
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in computer applications and relevant patent and market search databases.

• Grade 12 School Certificate with at least five (5) credits, including English and Mathematics.
• Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Technology, Law, Business Administration or a related field from a recognised institution.
• A Master's Degree in Intellectual Property, Innovation Management, Business Administration (MBA), Science, Engineering or a related field will be an added advantage.
• Training or certification in intellectual property management and technology transfer will be an added advantage. WIPO Academy courses are particularly relevant.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in technology transfer, intellectual property management, innovation, research commercialisation or business development.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.