The 
Innovation Practice Center Executive Director/Intellectual Property Faculty hire will be hired within the University of Akron School of Law. This is either a tenure track or tenured position depending upon the candidate’s qualifications. The secondary appointment for the incumbent will most likely be within the College of Business Administration but may be within the College of Engineering. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Duties:
This is a key leadership position in connection with the creation of an Innovation Practice Center (IPC) at The University of Akron. The incumbent is responsible for the coordination and operation of all aspects of the IPC.
In coordination with the School of Law Dean, School of Law, College of Business Administration and other University faculty and IPC faculty the incumbent will engage in relevant scholarship on the innovation process, teach courses in the general area of the relationship of intellectual property, innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization, and provide appropriate service to the university community. For each of the first two years, the incumbent will teach a 50% course load within the area of hire, that is, the teaching load for the incumbent will be 50% of the normal teaching load for similarly situated professors within the School of Law, assist in the development of additional course material for students and faculty, serve on Master’s and Doctoral review committees, and work collaboratively with other University of Akron faculty to help faculty understand and utilize the University of Akron innovation process. Depending on level of funding and research, this 50% course load could continue beyond the first two years.
The incumbent, in coordination with the relevant deans and faculty, will work with multi-disciplinary teams of students from the School of Law, College of Engineering, Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business Administration, and College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering to facilitate the protection and commercialization of new technologies developed by university inventors and entrepreneurs and to promote sound public policies. The incumbent will assist in the development of new, interdisciplinary courses relating to the innovation process and in the creation of new degrees and/or certificate programs in the area of innovation. The incumbent will help identify sources of outside funding and, working with university personnel, seek grants, gifts, and other funding opportunities for continual support of IPC activities. The incumbent, with other IPC faculty, will identify potential members of an advisory council and work with such council in achieving the vision and mission of the IPC.
Required Qualifications:
The incumbent must possess a terminal academic degree in law and a degree in a business-related field or engineering (as relevant). The candidate’s education and experience in business or engineering must be sufficient to obtain a secondary appointment in the College of Business Administration or College of Engineering, respectively. The candidate must have significant experience in the area of intellectual property law, business creation, or company start-up. The incumbent will work closely with other IPC faculty and must be a team builder.
Preferred Qualifications:
It is preferred that the candidate have experience starting a company, capitalizing a company, successfully running a company, and successfully exiting a company. It is also preferred that the candidate have a good understanding of the innovation process, pathways to commercialization, potential roadblocks, and pitfalls.
The anticipated start date is August 25, 2014, for a nine-month appointment.
Contact:
For complete details and to apply for this position, visit: http://www.uakron.edu/jobs. Job ID# 8036. When submitting the online application (link listed above) please be prepared to attach a resume, cover letter and list of references.
The University of Akron is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and to the principles of affirmative action in accordance with state and federal laws.
Additional Info:
Employer Type: Educational
Job Location: Akron, Ohio