APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

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