Description

UC Davis

Director of Industry Engagement

Reporting to the Chief Ventures Officer (CVO) and serving within UC Davis Health Ventures (Health Ventures) in the Innovation and Economic Development Office, the Director of Industry Engagement will lead efforts to connect the health sciences faculty of UC Davis with industry partners to accelerate innovations toward clinical and commercial impact. The Director of Industry Engagement will be responsible for driving co-product development with industry partners, leveraging patents, know-how, and data licensing to accelerate innovation and commercialization. A central focus of this work will be the establishment of a UC Davis Health clinical test bed, enabling the co-development and validation of emerging technologies in a real-world clinical environment. As part of this role, the Director will also expand UC Davis Health’s industry sponsored research portfolio, further advancing the institution’s position among America’s leading academic health systems. 

The Director of Industry Engagement will collaborate closely with UC Davis stakeholders including the Research and Industry Sponsored Agreements Office, Technology Transfer Office, Foundation and Corporate Engagement Office, and others, to expand industry engagement and develop partnerships in strategic growth areas with strong clinical and commercial impact. These thematic areas include cell and gene therapy, neuroscience, oncology and other high-impact focus areas identified by Health Ventures. 

Key priorities for the Director of Industry Engagement include: 

1. Identifying researchers, initiatives, technologies, and other assets with potential for further commercial development and industry collaboration. 

2. Coordinating with the UC Davis centralized database managed by Foundation and Corporate Engagement to capture and track interactions with industry partners and related business development activities. 

3. Designing innovative concepts to establish a UC Davis Health clinical test bed, enabling industry partners to codevelop and validate emerging technologies within a leading health system. 

4. Collaborating across the UC Davis and UC Davis Health ecosystem to strengthen industry partnerships and support 

regional economic development. 

The Director of Industry Engagement will eventually build and lead a team of business development professionals who work across Health Ventures’ thematic areas on behalf of the health campus, facilitating industry collaborations - including through master research agreements that address intellectual property, including know-how. 

In addition, the Director of Industry Engagement will play a central role in advancing a new pilot program to establish a clinical product test bed within UC Davis Health. This initiative is designed to enable collaboration with industry partners, including startups, in product innovation and commercialization. It will also serve as a platform to advance innovations originating directly from UC Davis Health. By expanding and diversifying revenue streams, this initiative will align with the institution’s mission of delivering Tomorrow’s Health Care Today.

Department Overview

UC Davis Health Ventures is the human health innovation and commercialization hub within the Innovation and Economic Development Office. Based at Aggie Square, it connects researchers, clinicians, investors and industry partners to accelerate the development of human health-focused discoveries into market focused solutions. Health Ventures oversees a collaborative network supporting translational funding programs, industry partnerships, intellectual property commercialization and operates a dedicated Health Venture Studio and Fund. By fostering collaboration across campus and the Sacramento region, it helps advance breakthrough technologies from the lab to the market.

Apply By Date: November 25, 2025 at 11:59p;  screening and selection can begin any time.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. 

To view full job description and submit an on-line application visit UC Davis Career Opportunities at 

http://50.73.55.13/counter.php?id=311758

Job ID # 82300

The University of California, Davis is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer