Career Center

• Participate in the planning and initiation of industry engagement activities in support of our overall mission to promote more industry interaction and funding of Vanderbilt research programs.
• Maintain and grow database of core academic research capabilities on campus and market such capabilities to industry; develop research collaboration relationships and associated contracts.
• Track progress of start-up companies and young companies developing Vanderbilt technologies, from pre-formation to scale up.
• Work with startup companies to promote their growth and success by helping them to develop business plans, pitch decks, and financial models, and connect with appropriate investors and establish collaborative relationship with research funders.
• Maintain and grow database of regional and national capital investment network partners.
• When assigned, partner with other Vanderbilt units to leverage alumni networks for support of Vanderbilt new venture activities.
• Support development of commercialization grant applications.

• Perform market assessments of new technologies to determine potential size of commercial impact, competing products, business models, types and names of potential licensees, suitability for a startup company, strategic partners and investors, and contacts within such partners in preparation for active marketing and development of the technology.
• Perform due diligence on promising technologies and business concepts.
• Prepare summaries and marketing materials for each new technology and start-up opportunity, as appropriate; develop pitch decks; post marketing materials to CTTC website; update and maintain such marketing materials.
• Active marketing - actively reach out to potential strategic partners to establish contacts and initiate discussions regarding Vanderbilt technology, IP, and research collaboration opportunities; record interactions with industry and with investors; continue to update list of potential industry partners and investor contacts.
• Assist Vanderbilt-affiliated start-up and early-stage companies in seeking and securing capital investment.
• Negotiate equity-related documents related to Vanderbilt equity ownership in licensees and other Vanderbilt-affiliated companies (including stock agreements, warrant agreements, convertible notes, SAFEs, investor term sheets, and liquidation agreements).

Education and Outreach/Inreach

• Inreach to Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students to raise awareness of CTTC's functions and services. Support innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and in the local community.
• Outreach to industry, TTO colleagues and the general public to raise awareness of CTTC's accomplishments, practices, technologies available for licensing and venture investment and other communications and written materials.
• Participate in educational activities on campus, including departmental talks, guidance and education to inventors, sponsored research administration, upper administration, hosting of talks by external subject matter experts, sharing of information and/or resources with Vanderbilt community - for the purpose of educating Vanderbilt constituents on issues related to IP, innovation management and entrepreneurship.
• Participate in various university, regional and national groups promoting economic and community development, new venture creation and industry engagement.
• Assist in the preparation of reports for Vanderbilt leadership and for regional and state economic development stakeholders summarizing Vanderbilt efforts in support for entrepreneurship and new venture activities.

Support of Other Transactions

• Become familiar with research contracting documents and procedures and support CTTC licensing officers' and directors' efforts to review intellectual property and other terms as requested by internal research support groups and provide timely responses.

• A Master's degree in science or engineering from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• A Ph.D. in science or engineering from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent work experience is preferred.
• An MBA from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent work experience is highly preferred.
• At least two years of experience working (i) with a new or early-stage company and/or (ii) in a new venture development support position in a university, a national lab, or in industry, whether through internship, training program, or otherwise is preferred.
• Familiarity with US Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Commission and their entrepreneurship grant programs is preferred.
• Experience with various capital investment vehicles used with academic-related start-up companies is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to review and discern scientific literature and be conversant with research programs and research efforts of faculty are necessary.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication, project management, conceptual, and analytical skills are necessary.
• An ability to work effectively and productively as a member of a team and with senior management is necessary.
• Ability to promote a positive culture of support and compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements is necessary.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a collaborative, fast-paced environment is necessary.
• Significant experience working with not-for-profit postsecondary institutions is preferred.