Part-time Next-Gen Innovators Fellowship

Pennsylvania State University • State College, PA

290d • $15 • Onsite

About The Position

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 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 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. 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

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field is preferred.
• Background in life sciences, physical sciences, law, and/or business.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly technical writing skills for marketing purposes.
• Dedicated, dependable, highly organized, and self-motivated with excellent time-management skills.
• Ability to respond to competing and changing priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate students (e.g., JD, MS, MBA, PhD students) interested in pursuing a career in technology transfer are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings, fostering an understanding of the interdependencies between academia, business, and investment.
• Understand the cross-sector view of commercialization.
• Be equipped with tools, skills, and experiences needed to drive innovation and lead collaborative efforts across sectors.

Benefits

• $15/hour compensation throughout the program.
• Hands-on experience in technology commercialization.

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree