Senior Venture Associate

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern University in Chicago seeks a Senior Venture Associate to lead venture development, oversee translational funding programs like the N.XT Gap Fund, and engage founders and investors across the lab ecosystem.

The role reports to the Executive Director and offers a 2-year term with renewal based on performance and funding. It emphasizes structured commercialization support, due diligence, and cross‑functional collaboration with faculty, researchers, and startup teams.

Qualifications

• Graduate Degree (PhD or MBA) and/or founder/work experience with deep‑tech exposure.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in intellectual property development or relevant industry experience or similar.
• Familiarity with research‑based or deep tech domains (AI, data science, biotech, medtech, quantum, engineering).
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize technical information into strategic insights.
• Excellent communication and a collaborative, founder‑friendly approach.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for helping scientific teams navigate early commercialization challenges.

Responsibilities

• Mine and screen faculty inventions for commercialization potential and engage investors and commercialization partners.
• Manage relationships with internal/external partners, industry, and investors to position commercial potential and IP strategy.
• Serve as primary ambassador for forging strategic partnerships with faculty, investors, and industry.
• Provide founder coaching, develop pitches, and create investor‑ready materials.
• Lead opportunity assessments and evaluate technologies for translational potential; support venture strategy.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Collaborative approach

Curiosity

Education

Graduate Degree (PhD or MBA)

Tools

Relational databases

Job description

Department: Innovation and New Ventures

Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary

The Senior Venture Associate will play a leading role in supporting venture development, funding programs, and portfolio advancement across the Querrey InQbation Lab. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role focuses on advancing early-stage technologies through structured commercialization support, venture evaluation, and founder engagement. Working closely with faculty, researchers, and startup teams, the Senior Venture Associate will assess opportunities, guide commercialization strategies, and support investment decision‑making across translational funding programs, including the N.XT Gap Fund. This role offers an opportunity to take on increased ownership in program execution, venture selection, and founder support, while contributing to a strong, collaborative team environment.

This is a 2-year term position. Opportunity for renewal will be based on performance and available funding.

Oversight includes

• The N.XT Gap Fund, overseeing startup investments; and
• Translational funding programs that bridge early scientific innovation to commercially viable solutions, including application review, founder support, and award administration
• Supporting early-stage startups with application review, founder coaching, selection process with investment committee and award administration market research, customer discovery, competitive analysis, and venture strategy
• Helping founders develop compelling pitches, strategic narratives, and investor‑ready materials
• Conducting opportunity assessments and evaluating technologies for commercial and translational potential
• Engaging with mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners to advance high potential ventures

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive vision and roadmap for life sciences accelerators, ensuring alignment with university priorities and donor intent.
• Operational Leadership: Manage multi programs and postdoc teams; establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting mechanisms to track progress and outcomes for the N.XT and translation fund program
• Due Diligence and Venture Support: Lead rigorous evaluation and selection of ventures and projects for accelerator participation and funding, leveraging scientific and commercial expertise.
• Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of innovation and agility, incorporating stakeholder feedback and emerging trends to enhance program effectiveness.

Specific Responsibilities

• Responsible for mining research advances of the faculty to screen for commercialization potential and engage potential investors and commercialization partners aligned with Northwestern’s biomedical innovation pipeline.
• Manages relationships with both internal and external partners, industry, and investors, to best position the commercial potential of faculty inventions, including market opportunity, competition, and intellectual property position. This includes developing marketing materials and communication strategies, as well as expanding the network of contacts and resources for our inventors.
• The Senior Venture Associate will serve as the primary ambassador for forging and nurturing strategic partnerships, including:
• Faculty and Researchers: Collaborate with principal investigators and scientific leaders to identify high‑potential projects and facilitate their translational journey.
• Investors and Industry Partners: Build relationships with venture capitalists, corporate partners, and innovation networks to secure co‑investment and mentorship.
• Faculty and Entrepreneurial Community: Engage faculty, serial entrepreneurs, and advisory boards to support program participants and champion Northwestern’s innovation ecosystem.
• Donors and University Leadership: Maintain transparent communication with university executives, providing regular updates on progress, impact, and opportunities for further engagement.
• By cultivating a vibrant, connected ecosystem, the Senior Venture Associate will amplify the reach and impact of Northwestern’s life sciences accelerators.
• Establish robust metrics and feedback systems to measure progress, inform continuous improvement, and communicate value to stakeholders and donors.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Graduate Degree (PhD or MBA) and/or related founder/work experience with deep‑tech exposure encouraged to apply.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in intellectual property development or relevant industry experience or similar.
• Familiarity with research‑based or deep tech domains (AI, data science, biotech, medtech, quantum, engineering).
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize technical information into strategic insights.
• Excellent communication and a collaborative, founder‑friendly approach.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for helping scientific teams navigate early commercialization challenges.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Ph.D MBA with work experience within Deep Tech, AI, High Impact Venture Support.
• Ability to devise unique and creative business and licensing opportunities.
• Experience in supporting the education of research scientists on the commercialization process.
• Experience with information and knowledge of relational databases.

Target salary

Target hiring range for this position will be between $100,000-$110,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits

• health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.