Part-time Next-Gen Innovators Fellowship

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent university in University Park is seeking candidates for a paid fellowship in the Next-Gen Innovators Program focused on technology commercialization. The program is designed for individuals with a technical background who are interested in hands-on experience across various placements in technology transfer, venture capital, and startup companies. Ideal candidates should have strong communication and organizational skills. Compensation is set at $15/hour for a 20-hour commitment per week.

Qualifications

• Background in life sciences, physical sciences, law and/or business preferred.
• Graduate students interested in technology transfer encouraged to apply.
• Dependable and self-motivated with excellent time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
• Driving innovation and leading collaborative efforts in technology commercialization.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Technical writing skills

Organizational skills

Time-management skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

Job description

Application Instructions

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CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Job Description and Position Requirements

The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) is inviting candidates with an interest in technology commercialization to apply for an opportunity to join a one-year paid fellowship program called The Next-Gen Innovators Program (“The Next-Gen Innovators”). The OTT is the office that is charged with protecting and licensing innovations developed at Penn State. The Next-Gen Innovators Program will provide a comprehensive hands-on approach to developing the next generation of leaders in technology commercialization.

The Next-Gen Innovators Program will span one year, providing trainees with long-term exposure to technology commercialization processes. Participants will rotate through at least three key placements:

• The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) - to gain direct experience in technology assessment processes, patenting procedures, and licensing strategies.
• A Venture Capital (VC) Firm - to learn about venture investment decision-making, focusing on how venture capitalists assess companies for funding.
• A Startup Company - to gain operational experience, understanding how technologies are brought to market, and how business development efforts align with commercialization strategies.

Program Structure

• It is expected that Fellows will dedicate 4 months with the OTT host in collaboration with other Penn State offices, including the Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, to gain direct experience in technology transfer before transitioning.
• Fellows will then transition into Ben Franklin (a technology-based economic development and venture investment organization in State College) for about 4 months followed by a placement with a technology-based startup company.
• The Next-Gen Fellows program will be for 20 hours per week for approximately 48 weeks. An additional 2 weeks will be either 20 or 40 hours weekly, as part of a rotation with a university relation department of a venture capital firm in the Philadelphia area.
• The compensation will be $15/hour throughout the program.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field is preferred.
• Ideal candidates will have a background in life sciences, physical sciences, law and/or business.
• Graduate students (e.g., JD, MS, MBA, PhD students) interested in pursuing a career in technology transfer are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Ideal candidates will possess excellent communication skills, particularly technical writing skills for marketing purposes (i.e., clearly and concisely conveying “take-home messages” to describe Penn State technologies and relay their key benefits).
• This position will require individuals who are dedicated, dependable, highly organized, and self-motivated with excellent time-management skills to respond to competing and changing priorities.
• Position may require travel up to 10% of the time for the rotations depending on the location and preferences of the rotation placement partners

Job Responsibilities and Expectations

• Hands-On Learning: The fellowship candidate(s) will apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings, fostering an understanding of the interdependencies between academia, business and investment; while understanding the cross-sector view of commercialization.
• Leadership Development: The fellowship candidate(s) will be equipped with tools, skills, and experiences needed to drive innovation, bridge the gaps between academia/business/investment, and lead collaborative efforts across those sectors. The program will foster a new group of entrepreneurs who are equipped to become leaders in the technology commercialization ecosystem.

To be considered for The Next-Gen Innovators opportunity, you must submit a current resume and a cover letter explaining 1) why you want to join the Next-Gen Fellows program and 2) how your background and experiences position you to meaningfully contribute to the research commercialization objective. Applicants who do not submit all requested materials will not be considered.

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