Innovation Partnerships Fellow

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The University of Michigan is one of the world's most powerful engines for scholarly research, service, and impact. Sustaining and supporting the University's robust research enterprise are vital for maximizing innovation and economic growth. As a service and resource for researchers interested in commercialization of technologies and research discoveries, Innovation Partnerships is a unit of the Office of Research that plays a central role in helping to ensure that society realizes the benefits of the research conducted at the University of Michigan.

Innovation Partnerships enhances research discoveries to encourage licensing and broad deployment with existing businesses and newly-formed U-M startups. Innovation Partnerships has earned a reputation for performance among the top 10 of all universities through providing responsive, professional service to our inventors, industry partners and ecosystem collaborators.

University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships works with U-M researchers to protect, develop, and license research innovations to either existing industry partners or newly formed startups. The goal is for these innovations to be transformed into products or services that address the world s greatest challenges. The office is seeking a full-time Fellow to work with the Licensing team to assist in researching the commercial potential of innovative engineering or other physical science research discoveries reported to our office by U-M researchers.

• Research and analyze the scientific, market, and patent potential for inventions in engineering and other physical sciences.
• Identifying potential licensees or investors for inventions.
• Prepare slide decks 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.
• Gain experience with assessing the patent potential for new engineering and other physical sciences 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; trends in very early-stage technologies. This job is ideal for individuals seeking to enter the field of academic tech transfer or gain commercialization experience for a career in technology.

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

Advanced degree in engineering or another physical sciences field, or other experience enabling you to understand invention disclosures in a variety of physical sciences 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 tech transfer licensing 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.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.