Intellectual Property Associate

Overview

Join our team as an Intellectual Property & Commercialization Associate

Help move cutting-edge university research from the lab to the marketplace.

The UWM Research Foundation (UWMRF) is seeking a curious, highly organized, and people-oriented professional to support the evaluation and commercialization of innovative technologies arising from UW–Milwaukee research.

This role sits at the intersection of science, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and relationship management. You will work directly with researchers, inventors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and industry partners to help advance early-stage discoveries into real-world impact.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who:

• Enjoys learning about new technologies and innovations
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with many moving pieces
• Can manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Is analytical, adaptable, and detail-oriented
• Enjoys working with people as much as ideas
• Wants hands-on exposure to patents, licensing, startups, and innovation strategy

You will have visibility into the full commercialization process and play a role in everything from invention evaluation to patent support to licensing and startup development.

• Conduct prior art searches and market research to assess novelty, patentability, and commercial potential
• Work directly with inventors to understand technologies and identify commercialization pathways

• Assist in managing UWMRF’s patent portfolio and coordinate with outside counsel
• Support patent drafting and prosecution activities
• Prepare and organize IP-related documents and filings

• Support marketing and outreach efforts for university technologies
• Research companies, industries, and potential licensing partners
• Assist with startup and commercialization initiatives

• Coordinate meetings, reports, correspondence, and project tracking
• Utilize Inteum and related systems to document commercialization activities
• Help keep multiple innovation projects moving forward simultaneously

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related field OR non-science degree with relevant commercialization, innovation, startup, IP, or research administration experience
• Approximately 2–5 years of relevant professional experience preferred
• Strong communication and relationship-management skills
• Ability to balance competing priorities without losing attention to detail

• Master’s degree or PhD strongly valued
• Experience or exposure to patents, intellectual property, licensing, startups, research commercialization, or technology transfer

• Work on cutting-edge innovations before they reach the marketplace
• Gain hands-on exposure to patents, licensing, startups, and technology transfer
• Support innovators and entrepreneurs making a real-world impact
• Be involved in every stage of the commercialization journey
• Learn continuously in a highly interdisciplinary environment
• Join a collaborative, mission-driven team that values curiosity and initiative

• 403(b) with 7.5% employer contribution
• Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Modern workspace with sit/stand desks and Herman Miller chairs
• Casual Fridays and a relaxed, friendly team culture
• Monthly fresh organic fruit in the office
• Annual holiday party + summer picnic
• Salary: Competitive and based on experience

The UWM Foundation serves as the philanthropic and commercialization backbone of UW–Milwaukee, supporting excellence in research, education, and community engagement. Through UWMRF, we help bring innovative technologies to market, fostering entrepreneurship and advancing discoveries that make a difference.

The UWM Foundation is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.