Skysong Innovations Fellow

Skysong Innovations • Scottsdale, AZ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Skysong Innovations (SI) Fellows Program is an educational program for Arizona State University graduate students (Master’s, PhD, MBA, or JD) and postdoctoral fellows focused on the physical and/or life sciences. Fellows support the assessment of the commercial potential of technologies disclosed to SI, ASU’s exclusive intellectual property management and technology transfer organization. They are exposed to emerging technologies and commercialization opportunities developed by ASU researchers and interact with technology transfer professionals across SI.

The program combines experiential work with instruction and direct training. Fellows commit 5–20 hours per week for at least one year and must be eligible to work in the United States in an off-campus position. They must sign and abide by a confidentiality and invention-assignment agreement and obtain consent from an academic advisor or supervisor.

The role is offered as a paid internship. Benefits include a hybrid work schedule, with work from home on Mondays and Fridays, a $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement, hands-on professional experience, professional development plans, networking opportunities, LinkedIn Learning access, and professional skills workshops.

Requirements

• Be an ASU student at the master’s, doctoral, postdoctoral, or professional level (MBA/JD).
• Be available to work 5–20 hours per week and commit to at least one year of participation.
• Be eligible to work in the U.S. in an off-campus position.
• Be willing to sign and abide by a confidentiality and invention-assignment agreement and obtain consent from an academic advisor or supervisor.
• Have proficiency in a scientific discipline and the ability to be trained in assessing the commercial feasibility of scientific work.
• Clearly communicate complex scientific ideas verbally and in writing.
• Be willing to learn and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrate excellent time management and the ability to deliver projects on time.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to ASU Enterprise Partners, Skysong Innovations, and Arizona State University.
• Demonstrate problem-solving, initiative, prioritization, and flexibility.
• Be a team-oriented strategist able to manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies.
• Be able to represent the institution well and demonstrate an advocate’s belief in ASU’s vision as the New American University.
• Show attention to detail, thoroughness, organization, and the ability to handle multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Assess technical, commercial, and intellectual property aspects of ASU technologies and assist with commercialization and patenting strategies.
• Review invention disclosures submitted to SI for intellectual property protection and follow up with principal investigators to obtain technical information.
• Work with SI’s business development team to market and license ASU-owned technologies, including preparing marketing materials, identifying targets, and facilitating discussions between interested parties and ASU principal investigators.
• Engage with outside patent counsel in the preparation and prosecution of ASU-owned intellectual property before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices.
• Assist the Life Science team in building relationships with ASU faculty, schools, departments, and labs to promote and educate principal investigators about intellectual property and commercialization activity.
• Engage with outside investors, venture capital operations, accelerators, and/or incubators to support SI’s commercialization efforts.
• Participate in training and instructional activities on assessing new technologies, U.S. patent law, marketing university technology, and negotiating university intellectual property license agreements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule; work from home on Mondays and Fridays.
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement.
• Hands-on experience in a professional environment.
• Professional development plans.
• Opportunity to network with ASU Enterprise Partners leaders and other ASU students.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning and its 8,000+ courses.
• Professional skills workshops.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern