Technology Transfer Manager

South African Medical Research Council

Job Reference Number: R956A

Department: Grants Innovation and Product Development Directorate

Business Unit

Industry: Academic

Job Type: Contract

Positions Available: 1

Salary: Market Related

GIPD division is seeking to appoint a Technology Transfer Manager to manage innovation activities at the SAMRC, specifically the activities and responsibilities of the SAMRC’s Technology Transfer Office.

GIPD division is seeking to appoint a Technology Transfer Manager to manage innovation activities at the SAMRC, specifically the activities and responsibilities of the SAMRC’s Technology Transfer Office.

The incumbent will report to a Senior Program Manager and will be responsible for the following

Responsibilities

IP management and technology transfer

  • Identify, evaluate, protect, manage and commercialize IP developed by the SAMRC.
  • Facilitate and raise funding for product development and market introduction.
  • Manage SAMRC’s compliance with the IPR Act.
  • Prepare and disseminate marketing materials and deliver presentations on the TTO and technologies.
  • Awareness raising and relationship building with SAMRC units.

Manage the SAMRC-TIA Seed fund, including

  • Run RFAs
  • Manage proposal reviews and approvals.
  • Manage the seed fund awards.
  • Provide secretariat function for the SAMRC-TIA Seed Fund Steering Committee

Stakeholder liaison

  • Collaborate & interact with other TTOs and inventors, industry, and other research and development entities.
  • Participate in the national innovation agenda.
  • Independently liaise with internal stakeholders: GIPD Program Manager and Executive Director, Other GIPD staff, Support department staff, SAMRC researchers.
  • Facilitate and co-host meetings/delegations with external stakeholders.
  • Facilitate the preparation of stakeholder communication materials (e.g. agenda, website material, presentations, reports, marketing materials, press releases, project pamphlets, etc.).

Contract Duration

3 years

Remuneration

R 966 586.00 per annum (CTC)

Core Requirements

  • 4 Year degree or Bachelor’s Degree with Honours or equivalent in the Life Sciences or related

fields (including Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, etc.)

  • Completion of at least two recognized IP/Tech Transfer training workshops
  • At least 3-5 years of relevant experience in the field of technology transfer, including intellectual property management and commercialization.
  • General project management experience, including managing reporting, contract compliance,

managing outputs and managing budgets, where applicable

Advantageous:

  • Experience in protecting and commercializing technologies in a public research environment,

especially in the health arena

  • Experience in general innovation support
  • Experience in managing seed funds.
  • Demonstrated experience in working across academia, government departments and industry.
  • Some business or marketing experience

Closing Date

24 July 2026