Fellow – Life Sciences

The University of Michigan is seeking a full-time Fellow to work in UM’s growing Innovation Partnerships unit focusing on the life sciences. Our office works with U-M researchers to protect, develop, and then license research innovations to either existing industry partners for newly formed startups. The goal is for these innovations to be transformed into products or services that address the world’s greatest challenges. As a fellow, you will work directly with the Licensing team to evaluate and market U-M’s research innovations to potential industry partners.

Responsibilities

As part of the role you will:

• Research and analyze the scientific, market, and patent potential for inventions

• Prepare technology marketing abstracts and other marketing materials for innovations arising from UM research.

• Identify potential licensees or inventors for inventions

• Prepare slide deck for weekly invention review meetings.

• Coordinate PhD. Students and post-docs that assist with the above on a part-time basis

• Negotiate certain technology agreements, such as confidentiality agreements

In this role, you will gain experience with assessing the patent potential for new inventions; identifying potential applications for research discoveries; identifying key commercialization challenges for early-stage technologies; marketing early-stage technologies to existing companies or new startup management; investors; investors; trends in very early-stage technologies. This job is ideal for individuals seeking to enter the field of academic tech transfer or gain marketing or other commercialization experience for a career in technology.

This position is a three-year, term-limited position.

Required Qualifications
Advanced degree in a life sciences-based scientific field or other experience enabling you to understand invention disclosures in a variety of scientific fields; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment; ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines; detail oriented with ability to work on multiple projects at the same time; growth-mindset with a willingness to learn new terms, technologies, and concepts both through hands-on experience, self-directed training, and formal training provided by other members of the office; willingness to accept and adopt feedback from members of the Innovation Partnerships team. Full-time applicants are preferred, but part-time applicants able to work at least 20 hours/week in the office will be considered. Fellows are expected to make at least a twelve-month commitment to the office.