Director, Industry Development and Knowledge Transfer

Research is integral to Hamad Bin Khalifa University's mission to help build human capacity in Qatar. It thrives across its six colleges and three national research institutes to advance science and technology across various disciplines and to find solutions for many local and global challenges.

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is responsible for developing and growing research initiatives and building an innovation pipeline to transform research into value creation in support of HBKU’s overall goals.

Position

To promote HBKU-originated Intellectual Property (IP) towards protection against exploitation.

Job Role Description

• Oversee IP protection activities and ensure successful transfer to the commercialization arm, the HBKU Research & Development Corporation (HBKU R&D Corp.).
• Lead IP assessment, selection, patenting, tracking, and maintenance; make decisions on where IP should be registered and direct that registration and filing.
• Oversee any disputes arising from patent issuance, ownership, license compliance, infringement allegations, or other such problems as might affect the reputation of HBKU.
• Increase IP awareness across HBKU and encourage invention disclosures in coordination with the team.
• Support HBKU R&D Corp. activities to attract IP commercialization opportunities and build research Infrastructure to ensure optimal leveraging of research outcomes.
• Support HBKU R&D Corp. in technology assessment activities, business planning, and financial valuations of technology projects and opportunities.
• Oversee the development of a comprehensive IP management tracking system in collaboration with relevant HBKU entities.
• Direct, oversee, and mentor subordinates in evaluating, patenting, and copyrighting Inventions.
• Work closely with QF Legal to monitor issues that might arise regarding ownership, assignment, and rights; Involve them in cases where disputes arise.
• Provide innovative suggestions to management and colleagues on new IP strategies in licensing that can increase impact, and productivity and enhance the credibility of HBKU intellectual assets.
• Lead monthly patent decision meetings for HBKU where decisions are made on which IP to protect.
• Lead and provide recommendations on patent filings; work with inventors and assigned attorneys to be certain that the most important market functions of the inventions that are being filed are reflected in the claims.
• Review descriptions of new inventions to ensure that they clearly communicate the nature and benefits of each invention and support outreach communications campaigns to increase public awareness of the importance of IP research outcomes.
• Develop IP reports and presentations for the management.
• Lead the development and implementation of IP policy and procedures in collaboration with relevant HBKU entities.
• Other reasonable tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Master's degree in science and technology with 8 years of relevant full-time experience in technology evaluation and transfer as well as IP protection, a degree in Law will be an added advantage.
• Supervisory level experience in business modeling, market, and technology assessment is required.
• Proven knowledge of IP framework (legal, business, finance).
• Exceptional leadership skills, managing & building consensus among stakeholders.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business/team relationships, and excellent networking skills.
• Outstanding writing skills with the ability to draft and edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas clearly and concisely; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

How to Apply

To apply, please follow this link
Additional documents may be solicited from short-listed candidates.

Deadline

Applications will be reviewed immediately and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Remuneration

HBKU offers an attractive compensation package that includes a tax-free salary and additional benefits such as an accommodation allowance, annual paid leave, and medical insurance.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. We are committed to maintaining culturally and academically diverse staff of the highest caliber.