Technology Transfer Officer
SARAO - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory · Cape Town, Western Cape
Posted 30 October 2026
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Key Responsibilities
- Stimulating awareness of IP issues and commercial opportunities, and encouraging an innovative and entrepreneurial culture.
- Identifying appropriate routes of IP exploitation, including conducting novelty searches and business opportunities analysis.
- In collaboration with the PIPO, providing input into IP protection, patent prosecution, and patentability as regards the considered commercialisation strategy.
- Applying appropriate agreements to facilitate the protection and exploitation of IP in cases of collaborative research.
- Facilitate invention disclosures and evaluate their technical feasibility and commercial viability to warrant protection.
- Prepare IP communique and facilitate IP awareness and workshops.
- Apply appropriate mechanisms for the protection of IP generated from national facilities.
- Develop strategies for preventing infringement of NRF IP.
- Engage with IP law firms to enforce IP rights of NRF.
- Structure and negotiate collaborative research for ease of IP commercialisation.
Key Requirements
Qualification
- NQF level 6 National Diploma / Degree in Science or Engineering (NQF Level 7) or equivalent.
- Degree in Law or Training in IP management and technology commercialisation would be highly advantageous.
Experience
- 2 years relevant experience in technology management
- Experience or Exposure to graduate in training or internship programme in a research and development, technology transfer, or technology development funding environment.
- Relevant experience in technology commercialisation would be advantageous.
- Good understanding of the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Funded Research and Development Act (51 of 2008) would be advantageous.
Knowledge
- Technology analysis
- Market analysis
- Technology Transfer
- Technology Commercialisation
- Funding sourcing
- Deal structuring and negotiation
- Project and Time Management
Additional Notes
Desirable additional educational, work experience, and personal qualities:
- A valid driver's licence
- A proactive self-starter
- Good computer skills, including MS Office, etc.
- Ability to think laterally
- Good writing skills
- Good communication skills
- Stakeholder Management
- Willingness to travel locally and internationally, if required