University Director of Translational Research

Overview

POSITION DETAILS

The City University of New York’s (CUNY) Office of Research (OR) provides leadership to strengthen University-wide research initiatives, capacity and innovation, spanning across its integrated system of 26 colleges and schools. OR supports the research, scholarly, and creative pursuits of over 7,000 full-time and 11,000 part-time faculty, including renowned scholars across nearly every academic field. Through three integrated divisions, OR promotes collaborative and transdisciplinary research innovations, fosters startups and commercialization within and beyond the CUNY community, and ensures adherence to research ethics, compliance and sponsored program administration.

As part of the Office of Academic Affairs at the Central Office, OR’s mission is to design a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem that elevates CUNY’s stature as the nation’s leading public university for diversity, access, and impact. With an operating budget exceeding $10 million and more than $700 million in sponsored research expenditures in FY24, CUNY’s research enterprise continues to expand rapidly, earning national recognition as a powerhouse of discovery, innovation, and public good, with several colleges recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as top-tier research institutions.

Reporting to the University Executive Director for Research and Innovation, the University Director of Translational Research will serve as a primary liaison among CUNY’s innovation teams, faculty researchers, and industrial partners on a diverse array of commercialization and sponsored research opportunities. The University Director will lead the development of innovation strategy, foster industry partnerships while cultivating a creative environment to develop novel ideas. This role plays a critical part in growing CUNY's innovation ecosystem by enabling (IP) generation, bridging discovery and application, advancing the "lab-to-market" process, and accelerating CUNY's innovation and technology commercialization efforts University-wide. The University Director of Translational Research will engage closely with OR’s Technology Commercialization Office (TCO) and Industrial and Applied Research (IAR) group to help grow CUNY's capacity for IP development and protection, faculty entrepreneurship, and technology transfer to industry.

In addition to the position overview, other key duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Lead and shape policy, vision, and strategy for CUNY's technology development and lab-to-market initiatives.

• Develop, implement and manage programs that engage college stakeholders at the ideation stage and evaluate promising innovative concepts.

• Curate and implement strategies to identify and connect CUNY researchers in attracting industry funding opportunities and advance their progress through the innovation pipeline.

• Cultivate and sustain trusted, collaborative relationships with CUNY colleges, faculty, and innovation ecosystem partners to advance shared research and commercialization goals.

• Advise and support CUNY researchers in developing compelling proposals to advance impactful industry partnerships.

• Collaborate with TCO and IAR teams to develop and deliver training workshops that upskill CUNY researchers in IP generation and lab-to-market process.

• Partner with CUNY communications, marketing, and public/government relations professionals to highlight CUNY innovation and public impact research.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

1. Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

2. Regular travel to CUNY colleges and schools across the five boroughs of New York City to connect with researchers and other innovation stakeholder communities.

3. This role is not responsible for IP related responsibilities listed under CUNY Title Overview. Obtaining and managing intellectual property protections, as well as overseeing their licensing, falls under the responsibility of the Technology Commercialization Office (TCO). The Director will support CUNY inventors in working collaboratively with TCO throughout these processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM

Bachelor's degree and eight years' directly related experience required.

PREFERRED

• Advanced degree in a scientific or engineering discipline is strongly preferred.

• Experience with intellectual property and patent law is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing systemic innovation and entrepreneurship programs and functions within a higher education or research environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with:-IP generation, protection, and technology commercialization laws, regulations, and standards in higher education.-Stakeholder relationship development and management best practices for both internal and external innovation stakeholders.-Emerging tools, trends, sector-wide conversations, and developments in technology transfer, innovation and commercialization.-Identifying and evaluating commercialization opportunities with high-impact IP and return-on-investment.-Engaging with industry, venture capital, and other potential investors.-Establishing a strong network of industry contacts across relevant sectors.-Designing and delivering training on technology ideation, IP generation, and/or technology commercialization process.

• Experience building or scaling a new program or function.

• Progressive experience in corporate engagement, business development, research administration, ideally with direct experience in university-industry collaborations.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, administrative, financial, and/or academic programs, systems, and databases.

• Exemplary organizational and project management skills to develop objectives, set and adapt to changing priorities, manage competing demands/changes and meet deadlines.

• Proactive, flexible, and collaborative work style with strong interpersonal communication, presentation, and negotiation skills to forge successful relationships with diverse faculty, staff, and external partners.

• Detail-oriented and precise with strong research, writing, and analytical skills, plus ability to thrive in a demanding, multi-faceted, time-sensitive office.

• Demonstrated commitment to public service, service excellence, inclusion, equity, ethics, confidentiality and integrity.