The University of Texas at Austin · 1 month ago
Business Development Specialist – Hardware and Software
Austin, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Entry Level
1+ years expThe University of Texas at Austin is dedicated to transforming academic research into real-world solutions and is seeking a Business Development Specialist to generate new partnering opportunities for its research in computational technologies. The role involves marketing intellectual property for licensing and fostering connections for corporate-sponsored research, particularly in the fields of AI, computer science, networking, and semiconductors.
Corporate TrainingEducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Cultivate new and foster existing relationships with companies to identify solutions to industry’s needs: introducing UT-owned AI, computer science, and electrical engineering intellectual property available for licensing, promoting and highlighting UT Austin’s research capabilities and infrastructure, and marketing and supporting growth of other resources available throughout the institution
Collaborate with counterparts in Intellectual Property Development to evaluate market opportunity for new technologies and the appropriate commercialization pathway for intellectual property – via licensing, new venture formation, or corporate-sponsored research. Solicit insight from corporate partners to provide supporting information to the Intellectual Property Development team with an industry perspective when evaluating potential patent filings and prosecution strategies as well as development and commercialization potential for copyrighted works, including software. Engage and collaborate with the Discovery to Impact team to help prepare and develop marketing materials for intellectual property that is available for partnering
Engage inventors as key contributors for identifying partnering leads and keeping inventors aware of and involved in commercialization efforts
Collaborate with Licensing team and Collaborative Research team on potential deal development. Provide input about relevant market forces, and suggest opportunities for the most effective and valuable deal terms based on market intelligence and the path to market while maintaining a unified message to potential corporate partners
Raising industry awareness of the entire Discovery to Impact team, including all services and capabilities offered by the team and across UT Austin
Other duties as assigned by the Director of Business Development
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in computer science, data science, electrical engineering, or any other science/engineering field with a focus on AI, computation, large language models, or semiconductor materials, devices, and manufacturing
Minimum of one year of industry experience in a technology sector (developing or supporting commercialization of software, AI, semiconductor, or large language model or machine-learning-enabled assets at a company or University)
Basic understanding of early-stage technology development
Knowledge of basic principles of intellectual property and licensing
Working knowledge of open-source software licensing
Demonstrated ability to translate early-stage research into solutions for industry needs, including articulating a software or technology's potential commercial impact to industry and communicating complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely to audiences with and without technical expertise
Must be a highly self-motivated professional with exceptional ability to identify priorities and complete projects. Capable of simultaneously managing multiple projects within a portfolio at different stages in execution
Experience using personal computer applications and AI tools to streamline workflow
Available to travel
Preferred
Advanced degree in a science, engineering, or business field with a focus on AI, computation, large language models, machine learning, natural language processing, or semiconductor materials, devices, and manufacturing
More than 1 year of experience working in a business development role at a company with a focus on software, AI, semiconductor, large language model or machine-learning-enabled technologies, or running targeted marketing campaigns for these types of technologies in a University
Experience and demonstrated success in developing and maintaining professional relationships with technology industry representatives to advance technologies into the market
Advanced understanding of software, AI, semiconductor, large language model or machine-learning-enabled technologies
Understanding of industry perspective when developing early, research-stage technologies
Experience collaborating across teams to develop partnering and commercialization strategies
Knowledge of market valuation techniques
Experience identifying and evaluating market opportunities based on feedback from trusted industry connections and other sources
Benefits
Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
Generous paid vacation (8 hours/month), paid holidays (10+/year), sick time (8 hours/month), and longevity pay
Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
Tuition assistance
Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
Company
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest public universities in the United States.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
Republic Capital Group
2022-09-14Series Unknown
Leadership Team
Will Whiting
Chief Development Officer
Recent News
Crunchbase News
2025-12-16
Crunchbase News
2025-11-06
2025-02-18
Company data provided by crunchbase