Make it matter.

Griffith University is a progressive, values-led university dedicated to learning, leadership, and innovation. This is your chance to help us achieve our vision to transform lives and add to human knowledge and understanding in a way that creates a future that benefits all.

Supporting Griffith's ambitions is Griffith Enterprise, the university’s dedicated commercialisation office, managing and commercialising the universities intellectual property and research expertise. Griffith Enterprise’s mission is to manage and facilitate the commercialisation of intellectual property and research excellence from Griffith University researchers via the most appropriate commercialisation pathway, ensuring optimum outcomes for all of our partners whilst protecting and enhancing the reputation of the university. By translating and commercialising ground-breaking technologies and research excellence, empowering a culture of collaboration, and prioritising our partner’s needs we help them achieve their strategic ambitions and generate global impact.

Griffith Enterprise strives to be benchmarked as a national leader in the commercialisation of research, enabling Griffith University to be recognised as a trusted and agile partner in commercialisation, knowledge exchange and entrepreneurship.  We play a key role in driving a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation and build on the commercialisation success of the university to deliver greater impact from research across the university.

To ensure we achieve our vision, an exciting opportunity exists to join the Griffith Enterprise team.  This is a full-time, continuing (permanent) position based at either Griffith University's Nathan or Gold Coast campuses.

About the Opportunity

Commercialisation Manager – Life Sciences

You will be responsible for identifying, developing and leading commercialisation opportunities, transactions and strategic initiatives for research outcomes and intellectual property in the Life Science area encompassing biomedical technologies, diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, medical devices and agriculture/environment.

You will work closely with Griffith senior executives and researchers to identify and assess potential new intellectual property and through business development activities negotiate commercialisation transactions such as licences, start-ups, option agreements to take the research to the market.

You will play a key role in advancing commercialisation awareness and skills across the University and, along with key Griffith staff, engaging with partners to help shape strategic partnerships.  As a senior member of the team, you will lead all aspects of the commercialisation and IP process, from early-stage research to the negotiations of deals and establishing start-up companies.

Commercialisation Associate – Life Sciences

You will be responsible for identifying, developing, and supporting commercialisation opportunities for research outcomes and intellectual property in the area of Life Sciences, including biomedical technologies, diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, medical devices and agriculture/environment.  

This role will include the identification, assessment and management of potential intellectual property, market opportunities, providing guidance on technology development and marketing of commercial opportunities.

You will play a role in advancing commercial awareness and skills across the University and, along with key Griffith staff, engaging with customers to help shape strategic partnerships. As a key member of the team, you will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the commercialisation and IP process, from early-stage research to the negotiations of deals and establishing start-up companies.

About you

Commercialisation Manager – Life Sciences

As a senior role, you will have 5+ years of experience and a strong track record of success in identifying, managing and commercialising intellectual property in the field of Life Science based research through licences, research collaborations and/or start-ups.  Technical knowledge in a relevant area of Life Sciences and demonstrated business development expertise and a track record will be required.  Your ability to deal with complex situations and communicate clearly will be an asset to the team.

Demonstrated skills required to assess early-stage technologies and understand intellectual property (IP) management and protection, including patents and other forms of IP; identify and negotiate commercial opportunities; and a proven ability to scope, pitch and structure/support commercialisation transactions are essential. 

You will need to be a self-starter and team player. You will be given the autonomy and responsibility to make a significant contribution to Griffith Enterprise and the University.

Commercialisation Associate – Life Sciences

You will have technical competence in an area related to Life Sciences and an understanding, interest or some experience in commercialisation and intellectual property is desired.  You will have an analytical approach to assessing relevant technology in terms of its commercial opportunity and strong communication skills.

Experience in identifying and managing intellectual property in the field of Life Science based research is desirable.  Technical competence in a relevant area of Life Science and some understanding of commercialisation and IP is also desirable.

Demonstrated skills required to assess early-stage technologies and understand intellectual property (IP) management and protection, including patents and other forms of IP; and an ability to pitch/market commercialisation opportunities are also required. 

You will need to be a self-starter and team player. You will be given the autonomy and responsibility to make a significant contribution to Griffith Enterprise and the University.

Salary Range
The full-time base salary for a Commercialisation Associate, HEW Level 8 is in the range $105,596 - $118,792 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total FTE package is in the range $123,547 - $138,987 per annum.

A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant for the Commercialisation Manager position.

Why join Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We support the professional and personal development of all our employees and invest in the skills of our people. We offer:

• workplace flexibility and a supportive work environment.
• salary packaging options and corporate health discounts.
• generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading.
• support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

How to Apply
Please submit your application online and ensure your application includes the following:

• A covering letter indicating which role you are applying for and outlining your suitability for the role by addressing the key criteria as indicated in the 'About you' section (above)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
• Names and contact details of at least three professional referees (no contact will be made without your permission)

Click here to view the Position Description for Commercialisation Manager.
Click here to view the Position Description for Commercialisation Associate.

Applicants must have unrestricted work rights.
Successful candidates may be subject to a criminal history check.

Further Information
For further information about this role, please contact Dr Mark Ashton, Director, Griffith Enterprise on [email protected]

For application support, please contact People Services on (07) 373 54011.

For further application and recruitment advice, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner on [email protected]

Closing date:  Friday, 20 October 2023 at 5:00pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.