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 Fellowship Program (“The Next-Gen Innovators”).  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. This is a non-academic fellowship program with no tuition reimbursement.

The Next-Gen Innovators Fellowship Program will span one year, providing trainees with in depth exposure to technology commercialization processes. Participants will rotate through at least three key placements:

1). The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) - to gain direct experience in many aspects of technology transfer including: technology assessment processes, patenting procedures, and licensing strategies.

2). A Venture Capital (VC) Firm - to learn about venture investment decision-making, focusing on how venture capitalists assess companies for funding.

3). A Startup Company - to gain operational experience, understanding how technologies are brought to market, and how business development efforts align with commercialization strategies.

Program Structure

• It is expected that Fellows will dedicate 4 to 8 months with the OTT host, possibly in collaboration with other Penn State offices, including the Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, to gain direct experience in technology transfer before transitioning.

• Fellows will then transition into a VC Firm for about 4 months followed by a placement with a technology-based startup company for another 4 months.

• The Next-Gen Fellows program will be for approximately 20 hours per week for about 48 weeks.

• The compensation will be $15/hour throughout the program.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.

• Ideal candidates will have a background in life sciences, physical sciences, law and/or business.

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

• Penn State affiliation is preferred.

• Ideal candidates will possess excellent communication skills, particularly technical writing skills for marketing purposes (i.e., clearly and concisely conveying “take-home messages” to describe Penn State technologies and relay their key benefits).

• This position will require individuals who are dedicated, dependable, highly organized, and self-motivated with excellent time-management skills to respond to competing and changing priorities.

US Citizenship or Permanent Residence is required for consideration.

• Position may require travel up to 10% of the time for the rotations depending on the location and preferences of the rotation placement partners

Job Responsibilities and Expectations

• Hands-On Learning:  The fellowship candidate(s) will apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings, fostering an understanding of the interdependencies between academia, business and investment; while understanding the cross-sector view of commercialization.

• Leadership Development: The fellowship candidate(s) will be equipped with tools, skills, and experiences needed to drive innovation, bridge the gaps between academia/business/investment, and lead collaborative efforts across those sectors. The program will foster a new group of entrepreneurs who are equipped to become leaders in the technology commercialization ecosystem.

To be considered for The Next-Gen Innovators opportunity, you must submit a current resume and a cover letter explaining 1) why you want to join the Next-Gen Fellows program and 2) how your background and experiences position you to meaningfully contribute to the research commercialization objective. Applicants who do not submit all requested materials will not be considered.

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