Intellectual Property Officer Post Level 8)

Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies -> Research Development Contract Type Permanent Occupational Level Junior Management Location Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date 28/9/2026 Description KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Manage and develop the UFS intellectual property (IP) portfolio.
• Evaluate technologies and develop appropriate IP protection and commercialisation strategies.
• Manage intellectual property protection and prosecution processes.
• Manage technology-development and innovation-funded projects.
• Identify and engage industry partners, licensees, investors and other commercialisation partners.
• Drive commercialisation opportunities and support the negotiation and conclusion of transactions.
• Ensure compliance with the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development (IPR-PFRD) Act, UFS policies and funder requirements.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and IP awareness activities.
• Supervise, allocate and quality-assure the work of junior staff, interns and project resources.

Inherent requirements:

• A relevant Bachelor's Honours degree or equivalent qualification on NQF Level 8 in Science, Engineering, Technology, Law or a related field relevant to intellectual property, innovation and technology transfer.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ relevant experience in intellectual property management, technology transfer, research commercialisation, innovation management or technology development.

Recommendations:

• Proven knowledge of intellectual property management and commercialisation processes, the Intellectual

Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 51 of 2008 and its Regulations, and the South African technology-transfer and innovation environment.

• Willingness to undertake appropriate further training in intellectual property management and technology transfer. Competencies Required competencies:

• Results Orientated:

• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.

• The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one’s task.

• Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading:
• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building Coalitions:

• The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:

01 December 2026 or as soon as possible.

Closing date:

28 September 2026

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2979 or email JardineS@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.az.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9813 / 7659 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities.

ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.