This position has a term length of two years.
Location - This role is in-person at North Campus, Edmonton.
The Department of Biochemistry in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is seeking a Commercialization Facilitator to join the PRAIRIE Hub for Pandemic Preparedness.
The PRAIRIE Hub is one of five federally funded Canadian pandemic preparedness hubs and works across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to advance research translation, training, commercialization, and biomanufacturing readiness.
The Commercialization Facilitator will work proactively with Canada Biomedical Research Fund / Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (CBRF-BRIF) Stage 2 teams and researchers working on pandemic preparedness initiatives across the Alberta-Saskatchewan-Manitoba PRAIRIE Hub region. The role identifies gaps and next steps in research translation with a particular focus on connecting teams to appropriate pathway planning, regulatory, manufacturing, funding, investor, and partnership resources.
The role will help establish a consistent approach for assessing commercialization readiness across the PRAIRIE Hub portfolio.
The successful candidate will help teams develop and use practical tools and materials to move promising research outputs toward use. This may include Target Product Profile outlines, evidence and decision summaries, process-development and scale-up plans, manufacturing-readiness and technology-transfer materials, regulatory, quality, funding, and partnership documents, and follow-up actions with relevant partners and advisors.
The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is one of the world’s top academic health science centres. With 21 departments, multiple research institutes and centres, and a focus on excellence in education, research, and clinical care, the faculty trains outstanding medical and dental professionals and drives global health innovation in collaboration with partners across sectors.
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Provide translation and commercialization advice to CBRF-BRIF Stage 2 teams and researchers working on related pandemic preparedness initiatives across the PRAIRIE Hub region.
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Assess project readiness, evidence gaps, funding fit, partner needs, timing, risks, and practical next steps.
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Proactively work with teams to prepare commercialization readiness materials, such as Target Product Profile outlines, decision summaries, business case elements, and process development pathway outlines.
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Build and maintain relationships with industry partners, investors, funders, government programs, regulatory and manufacturing advisors, service providers, and potential end-users.
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Coordinate introductions, partner meetings, roundtables, institutional supports, specialist advice, external consultants, and follow-up actions.
Maintain tracking records and prepare brief notes, summaries, updates, and reports on commercialization activity, readiness outputs, engagement, and progress toward deliverables.
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Bachelor’s degree in business, science, engineering, health, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
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Approximately five years of relevant experience in commercialization, innovation programs, business development support, technology transfer, venture-building support, industry partnerships, or related work, preferably in the life sciences or health sector.
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Experience sufficient to work credibly with senior academic investigators, institutional leadership, industry partners, investors, funders, regulatory/manufacturing advisors, and potential end-users with limited day-to-day supervision.
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Demonstrated ability to build and use a professional network to connect teams with partners, subject matter experts, funders, service providers, or other resources.
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Practical experience in several of the following areas: business cases, funding applications, partnership development, product planning, market entry or adoption planning, regulatory or quality planning, manufacturing or scale-up planning, investment readiness, or transition toward clinical testing or commercialization.
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Demonstrated ability to assess project maturity, fit with funding programs, partner expectations, commercialization timing, and when specialized advice is required.
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Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders.
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Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare briefing notes, meeting summaries, introductions, concise summaries, and decision-support materials.
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Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to take a consultative approach with academic teams, institutional partners, and external stakeholders.
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Strong organizational skills and comfort using tracking tools such as Excel, Google Sheets, or CRM-style systems.
Preferred Qualifications
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MBA, graduate degree, or additional training in commercialization, innovation, business development, regulatory affairs, biotechnology, or a related field.
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Industry experience, or direct experience working with industry to advance products toward clinical testing, commercialization, manufacturing, adoption, or investment.
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Life sciences background in areas such as biomanufacturing, vaccines, diagnostics, biologics, public health, or related fields.
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Familiarity with CDMOs/CMOs, manufacturing readiness, technology transfer, regulatory/quality planning, or product-development activities associated with clinical testing or commercialization.
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Familiarity with funding, procurement, or adoption pathways in health systems, government, public health, laboratory networks, or related settings.
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Familiarity with biosecurity, biodefence, health security, or pandemic preparedness initiatives.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please describe your relevant experience in commercialization, life sciences translation, partnership development, technology transfer, innovation programs, funding pathway development, or related work. Applicants are also encouraged to describe their experience working with academic teams, industry partners, funders, investors, regulatory/manufacturing advisors, or other external stakeholders. Review of applications will begin after the posting closes. Interviews are expected to take place shortly thereafter.
This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
