Role type: Fixed-term for 5 years, full-time (Senior Manager 1)
Department: Melbourne Enterprise (Melbourne Research & Enterprise)
Salary: Senior Manager 1 salary package including 17% super
Strategic leadership of MDHS commercialisation / shape spinouts, licensing and investment partnerships / lead expert IP team.
Seize this opportunity to lead health innovation commercialisation and deliver real-world impact across MDHS and beyond.
Investing in you: 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.
The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.
Your next career opportunity
This role presents an excellent opportunity to lead commercialisation of the University’s health and medical research portfolio. You will shape spinouts, licensing deals and investor partnerships, while guiding researchers to deliver real-world health impact.
What you will deliver:
Lead MDHS commercialisation strategy, from IP identification and evaluation through to prioritisation and route-to-impact decisions.
Oversee health IP pipeline, commissioning analyses and shaping patent, licensing or spinout strategies aligned to University priorities.
Negotiate complex commercialisation transactions with partners, working closely with Business Development, Legal Services and Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre.
Build and mentor a high-performing technology transfer team, embedding service excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.
Develop education, processes and policies that strengthen MDHS innovation capability and streamline commercialisation pathways and governance.
Support UoM Genesis Pre-Seed Fund investments in startup companies.
You may be a great fit if you:
Hold post-graduate qualifications in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience in life sciences commercialisation.
Demonstrate deep knowledge of intellectual property, especially patents, and how to secure protection for inventions.
Bring significant experience evaluating health and medical innovations, including prior art searches and market opportunity analysis.
Excel at structuring and negotiating complex licensing, spinout and investment agreements within university or research settings.
Lead high-performing teams, mentoring colleagues and fostering inclusive, service-focused, continuously improving technology transfer cultures.
Possess experience with start-up formation, venture funding or pre-seed investment processes such as Genesis Pre-Seed Fund.
For further information please refer to the attached PD.
What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:
Build future financial security with 17% superannuation.
Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being.
Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning.
Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave.
Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program.
For more information check out our benefits page!
Your new team – “Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC)”
You will join Research, Innovation and Commercialisation, a specialist team enabling the University’s research and enterprise mission. RIC partners with academics, industry, investors and government to secure funding, manage intellectual property and translate discoveries into real-world impact. Operating across all faculties, the team values service excellence, bold thinking, collaboration and professional growth, offering you influence, variety and the chance to shape a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.
We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [email protected].
Application essentials:
Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
Want to know more?
For queries related to this specific position or questions related to our recruitment process or recruitment adjustments, email Lucy Porter, Executive Recruitment Partner, [email protected]
Apply today, and join a community that’s shaping the future.
Applications close: Wednesday 22nd July 2026 at 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.
Position Description:
PD - JR-014027 Associate Director, Commercialisation (MDHS).docx
PD - JR-014027 Associate Director, Commercialisation (MDHS).pdf
Skills Required
- Post-graduate qualifications in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience in life sciences commercialisation
- Deep knowledge of intellectual property, especially patents, and securing protection for inventions
- Significant experience evaluating health and medical innovations, including prior art searches and market opportunity analysis
- Experience structuring and negotiating complex licensing, spinout and investment agreements within university or research settings
- Experience leading and mentoring high-performing teams in technology transfer or related areas
- Experience with start-up formation, venture funding or pre-seed investment processes (e.g., Genesis Pre-Seed Fund)
- Current valid work rights for Australia (visa sponsorship is not available)
- Working With Children Check (will be required if successful)
- Resume and cover letter to be uploaded as part of the application
What We Do
The University of Melbourne is a leading public research university that makes distinctive contributions to society in research, learning, teaching, and engagement.
