Technology Transfer & Research Valorization Lead

About Fondazione Chips-IT

The Foundation “Italian Center for the Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits,” also known as the Chips-IT Foundation, is a nonprofit research and technology organization under the supervision of the Ministries of Industry.

The Foundation is Italy's first RTO (Research and Technology Organization) vertically focused on semiconductor research and stands as a center of excellence in frontier research on semiconductor design, as well as a pivotal center of the Italian semiconductor ecosystem and expertise.

Missions of the Foundation:

• Promote the design and development of integrated circuits
• Strengthen the system of professional training in the field of microelectronics
• Ensure the establishment of a network of universities, research centers and enterprises that fosters innovation and technology transfer in the field

Posizione:

The Chips-IT Foundation is seeking a Technology Transfer & Research Valorization Lead to drive the bridge between its internal research lines and their industrial and commercial valorization. Working across Chips-IT's research portfolio, the Lead is the person who systematically turns scientific results into industry-relevant opportunities, drives the early identification and structuring of intellectual property (IP), and feeds market and technology intelligence back into research and portfolio decisions.

The Lead works closely with the research lines and will establish a network of IP Champions embedded within them. The role brings together research-to-industry translation, early IP identification, market and technology intelligence to inform research and portfolio decisions, and a contribution to Chips-IT's entrepreneurial and venture-support activities.

Contract type and duration are to be negotiated based on qualifications and experience.

Requisiti:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the primary interface between Chips-IT’s research lines and its industrial-partnership, IP, and venture activities, ensuring research outputs are systematically screened for valorization potential.
• Run technology scouting across the research lines, structure invention disclosures, and coordinate the invention → IP → valorization pipeline.
• Perform technical scoping of research results, assess industrial applicability and feasibility, and frame opportunities for industrial partners and prospective spin-offs.
• Support the unit in gathering and synthesizing market and technology intelligence to inform research direction and IP portfolio decisions, and drive matching between industry needs and internal research capabilities.
• Contribute, as a shared responsibility, to the venture-support and entrepreneurial-development activities, bringing the technical and IP perspective.
• Interface with the Legal & IP function and external patent attorneys, handing over well-structured cases for protection, agreements, and licensing.
• Contribute to ecosystem activation and visibility through events, outreach, and communication initiatives that strengthen Chips-IT’s technology-transfer positioning.

Requisiti

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in microelectronics or physics, or a related deep-tech field; a background in semiconductors is a strong plus.
• Proven experience in technology transfer, research valorization, R&D-to-industry translation, or innovation management — ideally within an RTO, university technology-transfer office, research center, or deep-tech company.
• Solid understanding of the IP lifecycle (invention disclosure, patentability assessment, background/foreground, portfolio strategy) sufficient to structure and steer cases, without acting as a patent attorney or legal counsel.
• Ability to read and scope technical research outputs and translate them into concrete industrial and commercial opportunities.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional or matrix networks (researchers, IP referents, external experts).
• Familiarity with market and technology intelligence and with industry–research matching.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder-management, and collaboration skills; comfortable bridging researchers, industry, and management.
• Interest in startup and venture creation and in the broader semiconductor innovation ecosystem is highly desirable.
• Exposure to European innovation and funding programs (e.g., the Chips JU / EuroCDP context) is a plus.
• Fluency in English; Italian is an asset.

The role requires a versatile profile able to own a process and a network, bridging technical, IP, and commercial dimensions, rather than a purely specialist or purely commercial orientation.

Altre informazioni:

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive compensation and contract type, to be negotiated based on qualifications and experience
• Lunch tickets
• Private health care coverage depending on your role and contract
• Structured growth path, with ongoing access to training and updates
• Networking opportunities with industry-leading professionals
• International environment
• Hybrid work policy
• Tax deductions: Candidates from abroad, comprising Italian citizens, who have carried scientific research activity abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a taxable income deduction up to 90% for a period of 6 to 13 years
  

In conformità con le normative vigenti, il range retributivo lordo annuo previsto per questa posizione è compreso tra Euro 25.000,00 e 30.000,00. L'ampiezza del range è finalizzata a valutare candidature con diversi livelli di seniority; l'offerta finale sarà strettamente commisurata all'effettiva esperienza e alle competenze del candidato, e sarà integrata dai benefit aziendali previsti per il ruolo. Si valutano anche contratti stage.

In accordance with applicable regulations, the gross annual salary range for this position is between €45,000 and €60,000. The breadth of this range reflects our intention to consider candidates with different levels of seniority; the final offer will be commensurate with the candidate’s actual experience and qualifications and will be complemented by the benefits package associated with the role.

Benefit: Assicurazione sanitaria, Orario di lavoro flessibile, Ferie retribuite (PTO), Programmi di sconto per i dipendenti, Buoni pasto, Laptop aziendale, Fondo pensione, Sconti o convenzioni aziendali esclusive, Luogo di lavoro flessibile