Department
SIP Polsky Technology Ventures - Administration
About the Department
Job Summary
The Manager will work closely with the Senior Director of Venture Development and University researchers to manage portfolio tracking and follow up; provide connections to relevant funding, talent, and advice; and support start ups with their launch, commercialization strategies, and preparation for investor engagement. Additionally, the Manager will support the director in managing the Polsky Center’s engagement with the venture capital and investor ecosystem. This role supports the program development related to identification, investigation, and negotiation of licensing opportunities for permission to use intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents or technology.
Responsibilities
- Assists in developing and maintaining relationships with venture capital, corporate, and other investment partners to create funding and strategic opportunities for faculty startups.
- Works closely with faculty and researchers, the Venture Development Senior Director, and partners across campus, including the Data Science Institute to understand faculty and researcher venture needs and next steps, and to identify potential resources.
- Works with Venture Development Senior Director to support faculty to evaluate research innovations, develop commercialization strategies, navigate the venture creation process, and prepare for investor meetings and funding opportunities, including refining business plans and pitch decks.
- Helps identify, engage, and coordinate a network of entrepreneurial talent, including mentors, to support faculty-led startups.
- Coordinates with internal teams, including licensing, business development, and technical marketing, to align efforts across the commercialization continuum.
- Supports operational activities related to venture development, such as budget tracking, data collection, startup updates, and process improvements.
- Monitors and communicates trends in venture capital and emerging technology sectors, providing actionable insights to inform faculty ventures and team strategies.
- Maintains and analyzes metrics to track the progress and success of faculty ventures and external partnerships, ensuring continuous improvement.
- Actively solicits and evaluates inventions, materials and software arising from research for intellectual property protection and commercial potential.
- Has a moderate/solid understanding of the legal issues concerning patent, copyright, or trademark matters. May provide advice on the patentability of inventions, infringement of patents or copyrights, and the validity of trademarks.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, physics, materials science, chemistry or related discipline.
Experience:
- Knowledge and skills developed through years of work experience in technology commercialization, venture creation, and/or investments.
- Launching, working at, or investing in early-stage science and deep tech startups, particularly AI or data science startups.
- Proven ability to assist in the creation and early growth of science-based faculty ventures.
Preferred Competencies
- Familiarity with the science startup venture landscape and provide operational support to early-stage startups, especially AI/computer science and physical science startups.
- Strong ability to build rapport and credibility with faculty, researchers, and their labs.
- Proficiency in addressing complex technical, legal, and business issues under the guidance of senior leadership.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders.
- Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity in a continually evolving field.
- Creative problem-solving skills to support faculty ventures and address day-to-day challenges.
- Basic knowledge of intellectual property and the venture creation process, with a willingness to grow expertise in these areas.
- Background or familiarity with data science and AI, quantum technology or material science.
Working Conditions
- This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.
- Work flexible hours according to demands of business.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- 2-5 years of related work experience
- Resume or CV submitted with application
- Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, physics, materials science, chemistry or related discipline
- Experience in technology commercialization, venture creation, or investments
- Experience launching, working at, or investing in early-stage science or deep tech startups
- Familiarity with intellectual property (patent, copyright, trademark) issues
- Proven ability to support creation and early growth of science-based faculty ventures
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and stakeholder engagement
- Ability to manage budgets, data collection, and operational processes
- Cover letter (preferred)
What We Do
The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom draws pathbreaking scholars to our global campuses, where field-defining ideas are born that challenge and change the world. The University of Chicago has its main campus on Chicago's South Side and seven international campuses and centers throughout the world. Students can choose from 53 majors and 47 minors in the undergraduate College, with four divisions and seven professional schools for graduate study.
