The team

I took over as Head of the Knowledge Transfer Office in April 2018. In addition to management and strategic steering of the Office, I assist researchers in negotiating and concluding R&D contracts with the business sector. I am involved in the intellectual property commercialisation process, using my legal expertise to negotiate and draft license contracts and contracts on transferring intellectual property rights.

Prior to my employment at the University of Ljubljana, I worked at a public research institute. It was there I encountered the transfer of knowledge from public research institutions to the business sector and gained extensive experience, foremost with the procedures of acquiring and protecting employment-related inventions, R&D contract negotiation, and concluding license contracts.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in law and have passed the state bar examination.

I joined the knowledge transfer office in 2022, where I provide legal assistance in the protection and exploitation of intellectual property and the adoption of innovations at the University of Ljubljana. By education, I am a lawyer with a state law exam and an exam for a representative for models and brands.

I started my professional career in a public research institute and, due to my interest in the field of knowledge transfer and intellectual property law, I deepened my knowledge with a master’s degree in intellectual property law (LL.M) from the University of Turin and the World Intellectual Property Organization. I also have several years of experience working in the judiciary and local self-government.

The knowledge and experience I have gained during my professional career help me to provide legal support from the very creation of an innovation to its commercialization.

After obtaining my PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine, I pursued my research work at the Jožef Stefan Institute and later on at the Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, in Portugal. My experience with the biotechnology industry started with a 5-years collaboration with the group Sanolabor d.d., where I had the opportunity to interact with some of the most prominent biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

My background in academia, experience with the industry and understanding of the patenting process enable me to understand the academic partners’ perspective and have the scientific knowledge that allow the critical view necessary for the successful commercialisation of new technologies.

I joined the Knowledge Transfer Office in June 2021 as an Adviser for the identification and protection of intellectual property in the technical field. In addition, I encourage entrepreneurship at the University and help UL researchers develop their entrepreneurial ideas.

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and later upgraded my knowledge with a master’s degree from the School of Economics and Business. In the same way as with education, I strive to expand my career experience. After graduating, I worked in sales and management in medium-sized companies, most recently in a multinational, the world’s leading manufacturer of building materials. At the same time however, I could not resist testing my own entrepreneurial ideas in practice. I have gone through all the stages of entrepreneurship, from the establishment, development and the sale of the company. And again, the establishment, development…

Simona Rataj. 11 letters that summarise my strengths and experiences:

I am part of the team who promotes the innovations and knowledge generated by researchers and present both to companies. We connect the research and business communities to create networks for new development projects. We encourage cooperation, as we believe we can achieve much more, and do so more easily, by joining forces.

I have over ten years of experience in promoting and presenting innovation and stimulating development cooperation, which I gained working in the largest Slovenian business association. I am well acquainted with the Slovenian business sector, as well as the domestic and foreign entrepreneurship and innovation support environments.

I hold a master’s degree in economics from the Faculty of Economics and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Ljubljana.

I devoted myself to the field of knowledge and technology transfer a long time ago, as my first attempts at inventing, protecting and commercializing entrepreneurial ideas date back to before attending the Faculty of Economics of the University of Ljubljana.

My career path, which included co-developing/co-founding several start-ups, work in the non-governmental sector and companies, also through the role as Head of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office at the University of Maribor, led me to my current position in the Knowledge Transfer Office of the University of Ljubljana, which I joined in 2022.

In general, my field of work is to advise and help on how to commercialize research results (also) with the help of spin-off companies of the University of Ljubljana. By combining several previous professional roles and expertises (Certified consultant for Market Opportunity Navigator, EU IP Helpdesk Ambassador…), I create and lead workshops for researchers and companies in the field of identification and protection of intellectual property rights, as well as the use of various tools in the search for new opportunities for the commercialization of the created knowledge and technologies. With several years of hands-on experiences as an »operative« and content creator, I also speak the language of a seasoned project manager for national and transnational programs.

As a PhD student, my individual research work focuses on optimizing the innovation method(s) based on the innovator’s or organization’s available resources.

Before joining the Knowledge Transfer Office in 2021, my professional path led me through my interest in philosophy and theology (I have an Advanced Master degree in Theology and Religion from KU Leuven) to work in gastronomy (I have a degree in Hospitality and Tourism) and finally to a start-up accelerator. I worked with start-ups on a daily basis and sat on many juries judging pitches and ground-breaking ideas.

As you can see from my career path, I juggle a lot of interests and walk a fine line between theory and practice. When confronted with a theoretical approach, I always look for ways to implement it. When I observe practices, I recognize the theories behind them. When I see potential in a project, I help with the first steps to a successful business – from pitching to funding.

In short: I’m lowering the average age of our team but raising the post numbers on our website and social media:

I joined the Knowledge Transfer Office of the University of Ljubljana as a student in June 2022, where I am responsible for promoting innovations, promotion and communication of the Office, and for helping to organise events to build connections between science and business.

During my studies in Social Informatics at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana, I acquired various skills in the field of ICT and digital services, which I am now putting to good use in practice.

Working in the Knowledge Transfer Office brings me new challenges that broaden my experience and skills in the field of technology and PR, but also innovations and their development in the market.