Senior Venture Associate: Life Sciences Ventures

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

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.