Technology Transfer
Nestled between business development, venture capital, and patent law lies the relatively obscure field of technology transfer. You might not be aware of the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, but it fundamentally empowered universities to monetize and benefit from federally funded research—essentially all university research. For any research institution, numerous technologies are being developed that are ripe for patenting, whether to license to external companies or to establish new enterprises. The technology transfer office plays a crucial role in registering and managing these intellectual properties, serving as the liaison between the institution and any outside entities interested in those assets.
Entry Points
If you’re in the midst of earning your degree, consider reaching out to your school's technology transfer office to explore potential internship opportunities. Some offices have established internship programs specifically for current graduate students, but even if yours does not, it's worthwhile to inquire about available options. For those who have completed their degree, you are likely seeking roles such as licensing assistant, licensing associate, or assistant director focused on a particular area of technology (such as agriculture, engineering, or life sciences). The exact title may vary depending on the institution, the scale of their technology transfer office, and its organizational structure. Additionally, some universities provide postdoctoral fellowship opportunities within their technology transfer offices for recent graduates, which is another avenue worth investigating.
Who are the employers?
Nearly every research university has a technology transfer office, and you can find university websites below:
Also, many of the organizations that are currently involved in technology transfer can be found here
Application Process
Pursuing an internship can significantly impact your ability to forge valuable connections that may lead to job offers after graduation. The technology transfer sector is highly interconnected, so even if there are no available roles in your current technology transfer office, the staff there might be aware of opportunities elsewhere. Additionally, every university maintains a "Careers" page where you can explore current job openings, including positions within the technology transfer office.
Career Progression
Depending on the size and structure of the technology transfer office, successful progression within this field will typically follow a well-defined route, starting with the role of licensing assistant, advancing to licensing associate, then moving up to assistant director, followed by associate director, and ultimately reaching the esteemed position of director or executive director.
Work Hours
Typical work hours are usually in the range of 9 to 5. Roles with greater responsibility often require additional hours to meet deadlines or finalize ongoing deals, yet a standard expectation of 40-hour work weeks is entirely justified. When evaluating positions in technology transfer against those in related fields like business development, venture capital, or patent law, the work hours and schedule stand out as a significant advantage.
Compensation
Reasonable salary expectations would be:
~$55-65K for licensing assistant
~$75-90K for licensing associate
~$95-115K for assistant/associate director
~$125-160K for director/executive director
Exit Options
Numerous career paths leverage the skills essential for technology transfer. For individuals willing to trade some of the work/life balance typically found in academia, opportunities in business development, venture capital, or patent law are most relevant—though pursuing a career in patent law usually requires obtaining patent agent certification from the USPTO.