The Directorate of Research and Innovation wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Technology Transfer Officer to support and assist the Institution in implementing its objectives fully. The main purpose of this position is to facilitate intellectual property protection and commercialisation.
Qualifications / Requirements
- Master’s degree in Science, Engineering, Business, Law or any related degree (NQF 9)
- Doctoral degree in Science Engineering, Business, Law or any technology related field will
- be an added advantage
- 3 years’ experience in IP commercialisation with a good record and a portfolio of evidence
of at least 1 licensed IP, product, process or service in the market
Key Performance Areas:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: -
- Stimulate and advance intellectual property development and commercialization of IP stemming from WSU research, innovation, entrepreneurial and creative outputs
- Assist with innovation capacity-building.
- Assist with IP evaluation, management and commercialization through multiple streams of income including contract research, royalties, and dividends generated from utilization of WSU’s IP.
- Assist with reporting and ensuring compliance to the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) and all contractual obligations with the funders, partners, collaborators and investors.
- Contribute to networking and marketing of WSU’s IP globally.
- Assist with the identification of commercialization partners and commercialisation
opportunities.
- Promote compliance and implementation of WSU’s IP Policy and other regulatory
frameworks pertinent to IP management and commercialisation initiatives.
- Work closely with patent attorneys and ensure efficient management of WSU’s IP assets litigations and recovery of monetary value associated with utilisation of WSU’s IP.
- Conduct due diligence, market analysis, financial projections, and strategic considerations to attract investment and influence decision-making towards university’s IP commercialisation
- Advice the process of establishing spin-out companies, negotiate license agreements, IP evaluation and deal structuring.
Skills and Competencies Required:
- Technology and digital skills
- Intellectual property rights and protection strategies, including patents, registered designs, copyrights, trademarks, know-how, etc.
- IP commercialisation and negotiation skills
- Writing of business plans, entrepreneurship and marketing.
- Intellectual asset management skills.
- Scientific research skills.
- Organising licence deals
- Technology transfer for start-ups and spinouts.
- Excellent communication and reporting skills.
- Research capacity development skills.
- Fundraising and conditions for IP transactions.
- Legal expertise.
Interested applicants should send their applications together with detailed Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of academic qualifications and ID Copies, and the names and contact details of three referees to the Human Resources Department via the following link:
Date Issued: 10 March 2026 Closing Date: 23 March 2026
Applicants who have not been informed about the outcome of their application within two months from the closing date may regard their application as unsuccessful.
“WSU is committed to Employment Equity and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply”.
