Now recruiting: summer 2026 business analyst

KU Innovation Park; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 20,457 - 29,136; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Company laptop

MS 365 Business & Google Workspace

Job summary

KU Innovation Park is seeking a student business analyst for the summer of 2026 to support its management team and resident bioscience and technology startups. The role offers hands-on business development and consulting experiences in a small, professional setting.

Responsibilities span research, document review, market analysis, financial modeling, grant support, and presenting findings to partners and Park management. In-person, 12–20 hours/week with potential extension into 2026-27.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellence in written research, reporting, and analysis.
• Ability to conduct thorough, organized research and present insights clearly.
• Creative, autonomous problem-solver ready to tackle ambiguous projects.
• Able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines with strong time management.
• Proactive and reliable with consistent work hours and communication.

Responsibilities

• Research topics in depth and draft memoranda for partners.
• Assist with document review and drafting (contracts, LOIs, proposals).
• Conduct industry and market research, competitive analysis, and tech validation.

Skills

Multidisciplinary background

Writing excellence

Entrepreneurial spirit

Consistency & reliability

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Broad academic backgrounds encouraged (STEM, business analytics, etc.)

Tools

MS 365

Google Workspace

Job description

Now recruiting: summer 2026 business analyst

May 7, 2026

KU Innovation Park seeks a student business analyst to support the organization and its resident startup companies for the summer, with the possibility of continuing during the 2026-27 school year. More than an internship, the analyst position enables students to work as part of a small, dynamic, and professional management team, providing hands‑on business development and consulting services to the Park and its resident bioscience and technology companies and startups. Analysts work closely with Park staff, company founders and each other to solve complex and often challenging problems that materially affect real businesses. Students will have the opportunity to develop and apply a range of general business and consulting skills in a real‑world setting, directly contributing to the growth of the park and its innovation‑driven startups.

Responsibilities for this role may include:

• Researching specific technical, legal, or strategic topics in depth and drafting memoranda and reports for internal and external partners.
• Assisting with document review and drafting (contracts, letters of intent, partnership agreements, proposals, organizational documents, etc.).
• Conducting industry and market research, competitive analysis, tech validation, etc. for startups.
• Preparing and/or reviewing strategic planning documents such as commercial feasibility studies, business plans, pitch‑decks, and investor letters.
• Basic financial and business modeling/analysis.
• Identifying grant funding opportunities and assisting with preparing grant applications.
• Presenting project findings, materials, and recommendations to partners, clients, and Park management.
• Participate in operational/strategic meetings, board meetings, and Park events.
• Collaborate with and support the Park’s other analysts with relevant aspects of their projects.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Multidisciplinary position. Due to the broad nature of the companies the Park interacts with, applicants can come from a wide variety of backgrounds and fields of study. Encouraged majors include, but are not limited to, STEM fields such as engineering or biology, computer engineering, business analytics, finance, journalism, strategic communications and pre‑law fields.
• Demonstrable excellence in writing. Applicants should have demonstrable excellence in written communication. In particular, analysts must demonstrate the ability to conduct thorough and organized research, communicate their findings, and provide insight and analysis in a clear and concise manner.
• Entrepreneurial spirit. Applicants must be creative, persistent, and highly autonomous, with a desire to learn new skills and tackle ambiguous projects. As a generalist role, Analysts are not expected to have previous experience with any particular task, and are encouraged to spend work hours developing necessary skills and knowledge to complete a project.
• Consistent and reliable. Applicants must be able to work approximately 12-20 hours per week during the school year and have an option to work up to 40 hours over the summer. This is an in‑person position at the Park’s main facility at 2029 Becker Drive.
• Excellent time management and communication. Analysts are responsible for managing timelines for assigned projects and must be able to manage time effectively and efficiently to meet specified deadlines, including managing multiple projects and timelines at any given time. Diligent and open communication with Park staff is critical, as analysts are encouraged to independently manage projects and client relationships increasingly over time.
• Intellectual curiosity. Working in a startup environment requires creativity, flexibility, and intellectual curiosity. Applicants must be motivated to independently learn and build skills during the course of their work. Analysts supplement the skills or tasks that may not be a strength or daily focus of the core leadership team; therefore, the ability and confidence to independently learn and acquire skills reasonably necessary to complete projects is critical.

Other Details:

• Compensation: $18/hr to start with potential for future increases commensurate with performance and reliability.
• Analysts will be provided a company laptop along with an MS 365 Business and Google Workspace account for the duration of employment.
• KU Innovation Park hires analysts on a rolling basis, depending on the needs of The Park.

KU Innovation Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer

KU Innovation Park is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.