Technology Transfer Manager – IP and Licencing
We are seeking a highly motivated Technology Transfer Manager – Intellectual Property and Licensing will play a key role in supporting Aston University's goal of achieving £10 million in licensing income by 2030, as set out in the Aston 2030 Strategy.
Working within the Aston Ventures team, the postholder will lead the identification, protection, management and commercialisation of the University’s intellectual property portfolio across all disciplines, with a strong emphasis on maximising licensing opportunities.
The postholder will proactively engage with academic colleagues, external partners, and investors to identify new opportunities, secure licensing income, and support the creation of spin-out companies where appropriate.
The role will work closely with the Head of Research Commercialisation and wider Research and Enterprise teams to deliver impact at scale.
Main Duties/Responsibilities
Provide operational leadership in University affairs related to the identification, protection,
management and licensing of intellectual property (IP) across all Colleges.
Proactively identify new IP generated through academic research and undertake market and
technical evaluations to underpin decisions on protecting IP.
Manage a portfolio of IP cases, supporting routes to commercialisation through licensing or
spin-out activity in collaboration with the Head of Research Commercialisation.
Support the development of detailed commercialisation plans, including drafting licence
heads of terms, negotiating licensing deals, and supporting spin-out business plans where
required.
Work with external legal and patent professionals to manage patent filings and prosecutions
while maintaining an in-house understanding of best practice in IP management.
Lead negotiations on licence agreements, drawing on the University's IP portfolio, working
with industry partners, charities, grant funders, and investors.
Monitor and report on licensing income targets in alignment with the University’s 2030
Strategy, providing regular updates to the Head of Research Commercialisation and
University Executive as Required.
Assist in the management and development of translational research bids with a focus on the
route to commercial application and licensing potential.
Develop and maintain strategic relationships with regional, national and international
licensing partners and investors to maximise opportunities for Aston IP.
Manage other Technology Transfer staff as required.
Build and maintain strong relationships with academic staff, industry partners, investors, and
other stakeholders.
Provide training and support to researchers on IP and commercialisation processes.
Support University-wide submissions to the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF),
Research Excellence Framework (impact), HEIF, and statutory HE-BCI returns as required.
Our 2030 Strategy sets out an ambitious vision to achieve meaningful
impact through education, research, and innovation. The Enterprise
Strategy translates this vision into action by embedding enterprise
in all our endeavours. Central to this is the Centre for Enterprise and
Entrepreneurship, which will offer sector-leading enterprise skills
development on our Birmingham campus, at our London Hub, and
through online and transnational activities. Alongside this, we will
provide extensive support for business founders, start-ups, and scale-
ups by establishing the Aston Business Hub with around 100 most
innovative businesses embedded on our campus.
A cornerstone of our strategy is the Birmingham Innovation Precinct—
an ambitious initiative designed to establish a nationally significant,
technology-driven innovation ecosystem at the heart of our city.
Aston University with its Aston Business Hub will serve as a catalyst
for this emerging place-based innovation ecosystem. By co-locating
industry and academia, we will foster collaboration among businesses,
researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to unlock new opportunities
for diverse communities, accelerate investment, create high-value jobs,
and solidify Aston’s position as a catalyst for inclusive growth.
Through the Birmingham Innovation Precinct, Aston Ventures, Aston
Business Hub and the Aston Integrated Health Hub, and our unwavering
commitment to knowledge exchange and research commercialisation,
the Enterprise Strategy brings our 2030 ambitions to life. Together, we
will expand access to opportunity, foster entrepreneurship, and cultivate
a dynamic ecosystem of innovation—transforming challenges into
opportunities for business, government, and society.
As a diverse and united Aston community, we stand ready to drive
change, break barriers, and empower our communities, leaving a lasting
impact that embodies the core values of Aston University.