Role Summary

The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to be considered for the position of Technology Transfer Officer (Commercialization). The successful candidate will contribute to the commercialization of University research outputs, technologies, and intellectual property by facilitating technology transfer, industry engagement, venture development, licensing, and innovation partnerships.

The Technology Transfer Officer (Commercialization) will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing University research outputs, technologies, and intellectual property into commercially viable opportunities. The role will support technology transfer, venture development, industry partnerships, licensing, and commercialization activities to ensure that university innovations generate economic and societal impact.

Working closely with researchers, industry, investors, and other stakeholders, the Officer will facilitate the translation of research and innovation into market-ready products, services, partnerships, and startup ventures.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and assess inventions, technologies, and innovations for commercial potential, market readiness, scalability and route-to-market opportunities.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, technology valuation, and commercial due diligence to inform commercialization decisions.
• Develop commercialization plans, business cases, investment briefs, and route-to-market strategies for high-potential innovations.
• Establish and maintain relationships with industry, investors, venture capital networks, innovation hubs, government agencies and development partners.
• Identify commercialization opportunities through licensing, partnerships, joint ventures, technology adoption and collaborative innovation initiatives.
• Represent the University at industry events, exhibitions, conferences and innovation forums.
• Develop and disseminate technology marketing materials, including technology profiles, pitch decks and promotional content.
• Promote university technologies and intellectual property through innovation platforms, digital channels, matchmaking events and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Support the negotiation and management of licensing agreements, collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements and other commercialization contracts.
• Facilitate the development of startup and spin-off ventures arising from university technologies.
• Assist innovators in accessing funding, incubation, acceleration and investor readiness programmes.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to support commercialization activities and innovation pipelines.
• Maintain accurate records and reports on intellectual property, licensing activities, partnerships, commercialization outcomes and venture development initiatives.
• Monitor and track the progress and impact of commercialization projects and technology transfer activities.

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

Applicants must possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics or any related discipline with at least a credit.
• Exposure to intellectual property management, technology transfer, innovation management, or commercialization, which will be an added advantage.
• At least 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in market research and industry analysis, business development and commercialization, financial analysis, innovation management, technology transfer or research support.
• A good understanding of the agricultural sector, research and innovation ecosystems and industry collaboration frameworks.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with knowledge of innovation and commercialization processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of the technology innovation value chain and new product/ business development process.
• Ability to assess route-to-market pathways for early-stage technologies
• Strong written communication (business briefs, pitch materials, reports)
• Understanding of public-private partnerships and industry collaboration frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, relationship management, communication, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work proactively and manage multiple priorities.
• A willingness to learn new skills and keep abreast of emerging developments in technology transfer, innovation and commercialization.

• Identify, evaluate, and assess inventions, technologies, and innovations for commercial potential, market readiness, scalability and route-to-market opportunities.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, technology valuation, and commercial due diligence to inform commercialization decisions.
• Develop commercialization plans, business cases, investment briefs, and route-to-market strategies for high-potential innovations.
• Establish and maintain relationships with industry, investors, venture capital networks, innovation hubs, government agencies and development partners.
• Identify commercialization opportunities through licensing, partnerships, joint ventures, technology adoption and collaborative innovation initiatives.
• Represent the University at industry events, exhibitions, conferences and innovation forums.
• Develop and disseminate technology marketing materials, including technology profiles, pitch decks and promotional content.
• Promote university technologies and intellectual property through innovation platforms, digital channels, matchmaking events and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Support the negotiation and management of licensing agreements, collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements and other commercialization contracts.
• Facilitate the development of startup and spin-off ventures arising from university technologies.
• Assist innovators in accessing funding, incubation, acceleration and investor readiness programmes.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to support commercialization activities and innovation pipelines.
• Maintain accurate records and reports on intellectual property, licensing activities, partnerships, commercialization outcomes and venture development initiatives.
• Monitor and track the progress and impact of commercialization projects and technology transfer activities.

• Strong business and commercial acumen, with knowledge of innovation and commercialization processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of the technology innovation value chain and new product/ business development process.
• Ability to assess route-to-market pathways for early-stage technologies
• Strong written communication (business briefs, pitch materials, reports)
• Understanding of public-private partnerships and industry collaboration frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, relationship management, communication, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work proactively and manage multiple priorities.
• A willingness to learn new skills and keep abreast of emerging developments in technology transfer, innovation and commercialization.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics or any related discipline with at least a credit.
• Exposure to intellectual property management, technology transfer, innovation management, or commercialization, which will be an added advantage.