Open Position Innovation Project Manager at IFAE (Medical physics group & KTT unit)

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is located in the UAB campus (Bellaterra, Spain) and conducts excellence research on fundamental physics, namely high-energy physics, astrophysics, cosmology and applied physics, such as medical imaging and quantum computing. IFAE is member of I-CERCA and BIST research communities.

About IFAE Technology

IFAE has a robust portfolio of technologies protected by patent and 4 deep-tech spin-off companies have been incorporated up to date. IFAE’s core expertise is the design, development and construction of particle & radiation detectors for applied uses and for basic research purposes in big science experiments.We are involved in the ATLAS experiment at the LHC (CERN, Switzerland), the T2K neutrino experiment (Japan), the MAGIC telescopes (ORM - La Palma, Spain), the Dark Energy Survey project (Chile), the Virgo experiment (Italy) and the Cherenkov Telescope Array (Spain and Chile), among others in the frontier of the knowledge. IFAE takes part of the experiments as collaboration member, leading several management positions, including the Project Coordination, as it is the case for the Einstein Telescope - Preparatory Phase project for Gravitational Wave research in Europe.

The knowledge and technology transfer (ktt) unit at IFAE is looking for an entrepreneur to work closely with the medical physics group to help in the valorization and the exploitation of a novel detector for nuclear medicine in general and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Compton gamma camera in particular. The intellectual property of a Voxel Imaging PET novel detector (VIP technology) is protected by a family of patents.The entrepreneur will play a leading role in developing the business model (BM) and business plan (BP) based on an elaborated technical report, which will be drafted with the help of the inventor to apply for valorization funds (EIC Pathfinder/Transition, Producte IdC, Caixaimpulse, etc.). The entrepreneur will also give support in the incubation phase of the creation of a new spin-off company based on the VIP technology, by participating in venture-building programs to create a spin-off and raise public-private investment (Mind the Gap, FITA investment fund, Zubilabs, The Collider, etc.) as well as attracting private investment for the spin-off (VCs, BAs, etc.).

Then, the entrepreneur will carry out innovation consultancy activities for the VIP entrepreneurship project (BM, BP) and for other disruptive medical physics valorization projects (BM) to help bringing IFAE’s R&D results from lab to market. All these ktt activities will be developed by the entrepreneur in coordination with the ktt unit at IFAE. Once concluded the stay at IFAE, the new spin-off created may provide a job offer to the entrepreneur.

We offer a full-time (40 hours/week) position at IFAE for 1.5 years funded by an Innovadors grant (AGAUR). The position corresponds to the IFAE’s labor category of “Tècnic/a de gestió (Nivell 1)”, with a financial support according to the CV of the candidate.A training on tech-based venture building is offered by AGAUR (Pla d’Acompanyament). Additionally the entrepreneur will participate in the “From Science to Business” innovation and entrepreneurship course, organized by the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), subject to BIST planning and premises.

Tasks

Analysis of innovation potential of med-tech inventions. Market research studies, technology economic valuation, business model definition.
Tech transfer consultancy services to support proof of concept (PoC) project proposals aimed at getting funds to develop and validate the technologies of the IFAE’s Medical Physics Group (VIP tech included).
Planning of VIP tech exploitation strategy. Reporting of VIP PoC project ktt outputs to funding agencies.
VIP technologies business model design and validation by interaction with potential customers and business plan design. Pre-commercial agreements with industry to develop and test a minimum viable product / pilot based on VIP tech.
Support to the creation of a spin-off located in Catalonia (Spain) based on the VIP technologies. Search for investors and shareholders. Negotiation of licensing, co-development and shareholders agreements.

Requirements:

Education

University degree in science or science engineering (physics, medical engineering, etc.)
or Business degree (economics, business administration and management, etc.)

Knowledge

Fluent English, Catalan and Spanish
Basic knowledge of Innovation management is a plus
Basic knowledge of economics, finance and/or business management will be an asset
The candidate should have a good experience in developing a business plan and the creation of a startup

Professional Experience :

Experience working in a research and/or ktt environment will be an asset
Experience in innovation, entrepreneurship and/or tech transfer management will be a plus
Experience in incubation and/or acceleration programmes will be highly valued

Evaluation Criteria:

Academic merits (20%)
Opportunity for professional development in the field of innovation and knowledge transfer (20%)
Level of knowledge in economics and finance, in the use of business management tools, as well as other knowledge and techniques related to the management, legal and regulatory fields (20%)
Experience in innovation management and the transfer of technology and/or knowledge to the private sector (20%)
Participation in business incubation or acceleration programs. Experience in the management of companies or business units, social or ecological entrepreneurship (20%)

How to apply:

If you are a motivated person to work in a dynamic environment, as well as creative, proactive and communicative wishing to work in an international center like IFAE, please send your updated CV, a letter of intent or motivation and one or two letters of recommendation to Prof. Mokhtar Chmeissani (group leader of medical physics, mokhtar@ifae.es ) and Isaac Esparbé (head of ktt unit, iesparbe@ifae.es ). Sending CVs to IFAE implies consent to the Institute’s legal warning.

Estimated Resolution Date: May 25, 2024
Job Starting Date: June 4, 2024
Number of Positions offered: 1

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principles of non-discrimination, equal opportunities, and the social integration of people with disabilities. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

In compliance with regulations governing the legal regime of the public sector, priority will be given to candidates who, meeting the essential requirements, are employed by one of the consortium’s administrations.

By applying to the job position the candidate gives her/his consent to IFAE to treat the personal data thus provided, and the commitment of IFAE to treat them according to the data protection legislation that may apply.

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