Quantum Entrepreneur in Residence

The University of New Mexico•Albuquerque, NM

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I) at the University of New Mexico seeks a consultant to advance quantum research toward commercial applications, industry partnerships, and new businesses in New Mexico. The consultant will support translation activities funded through QNM-I’s $3 million New Mexico Economic Development Department award by identifying promising opportunities, building teams, and connecting projects with resources needed to reach market. The consultant will map researchers, technologies, facilities, equipment, entrepreneurial talent, industry partners, and funding sources at UNM and collaborating institutions. They will assess commercial opportunities by engaging potential customers and industry partners and evaluating technologies for commercial relevance, maturity, differentiation, intellectual property position, development requirements, and time to market. They will maintain a prioritized opportunity portfolio, recommend projects for advancement, and work with researchers and entrepreneurial leads to define milestones, assemble teams, develop business models, and pursue validation, prototypes, industry pilots, licensing, or startup formation as appropriate. The consultant will also develop business cases, presentations, and funding strategies; facilitate introductions to customers, investors, collaborators, and commercialization funding programs; and track milestones, partner engagement, funding pursued and secured, and commercialization outcomes. They will advise program leads and recommend opportunities and partners for QNM-I translation programs. QNM-I and designated partners will lead program delivery, administration, event logistics, and communications production. Authorized university and laboratory offices will manage intellectual property and negotiate and execute agreements. The consultant will report to the Director of QNM-I, who will establish project priorities and review deliverables. Services will focus on translation and commercialization, with external engagement and travel as needed. Contributions will be prioritized with the QNM-I Director within agreed contract hours and budget. Monthly updates will document advice, introductions, mentoring, and follow-up actions. The position is temporary, part-time, hourly at $185.00, and eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule. It is not benefits eligible.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience translating research or early-stage technology into commercial products, industry adoption, and new businesses; more than 10 years preferred.
At least 5 years of experience building and leading technology ventures, developing interdisciplinary teams, and mentoring researchers and entrepreneurs; more than 10 years preferred.
Experience assessing markets, developing business models, and securing commercialization grants, investment, and strategic partnerships across diverse deep technology disciplines.
Ability to evaluate emerging quantum technologies with technical experts and translate their capabilities into credible customer applications and commercial opportunities.
Strong execution, communication, and project management skills, with a record of delivering measurable results within limited budgets.
A completed degree from an accredited institution; the posting refers candidates to classification-specific minimum requirements and states that degrees above the minimum education requirement may substitute for experience year for year.
At least an MS degree is specified in the preferred qualifications.

Nice To Haves

More than 10 years of experience translating research or early-stage technology into commercial products, industry adoption, and new businesses.
More than 10 years of experience building and leading technology ventures, developing interdisciplinary teams, and mentoring researchers and entrepreneurs.
Established relationships within New Mexico’s entrepreneurial, investment, university, national laboratory, and industry communities.
A PhD in a STEM field.

Responsibilities

Map relevant researchers, technologies, facilities, equipment, entrepreneurial talent, industry partners, and funding sources at UNM and collaborating institutions.
Engage potential customers and industry partners to identify market needs and assess technologies for commercial relevance, maturity, differentiation, intellectual property position, development requirements, and time to market.
Build and maintain a prioritized opportunity portfolio and recommend projects for advancement based on market potential, team readiness, available resources, and a credible commercialization pathway.
Work with researchers and entrepreneurial leads to define milestones, assemble teams, develop business models, and pursue validation, prototypes, industry pilots, licensing, or startup formation as appropriate.
Support and drive intellectual content for Entrepreneurial Boot Camps.
Develop business cases, presentations, and funding strategies, and facilitate targeted introductions to customers, investors, collaborators, and commercialization funding programs.
Track project milestones, partner engagement, funding pursued and secured, and commercialization outcomes; share results and lessons with researchers and partners.
Advise program leads, recommend opportunities and partners, and provide commercialization expertise for QNM-I translation programs.
Support development of interdisciplinary university–laboratory–industry projects addressing commercially important use cases; help teams prepare collaboration plans and identify intellectual property management needs, licensing opportunities, and required agreements.
Coordinate input from responsible technology-transfer and legal offices for university–laboratory–industry projects.
Support industry workshop planning with the Ellis School of Business Leadership by recommending application topics, participants, and commercial opportunities, prioritizing New Mexico companies and national laboratory partners.
Participate in industry workshop discussions and help define structured follow-up, responsible leads, and next steps toward collaboration agreements and commercialization projects.
Advise quantum entrepreneurship bootcamp and accelerator program design and mentor students and faculty in business planning, pitch development, and early-stage fundraising.
Connect UNM faculty and program leads with established accelerators and venture partners, such as Roadrunner, Playground, and Rainforest.
Advise on commercial themes, industry and laboratory speakers, and partner participation for a recurring public seminar and engagement series.
Contribute examples and review commercial content for accessible communications about QNM-I’s value and New Mexico’s quantum economy.
Support participation in regional economic development convenings to strengthen partnerships and inform long-term public investment.
Provide monthly updates documenting advice, introductions, mentoring, and follow-up actions for supported programs.