Professional Aide

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Work type:Support Staff
Pay Grade: 05
Major Administrative Unit / College: Research And Innovation
Department: Msu Innovation Center 40000580
Sub Area: AP- Professionals
Salary: Pay Commensurate with Experience
Location:East Lansing
Categories:On-Call, Remote-Friendly

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a Temporary On-Call (TOC) position. This position provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term: Temporary On-Call (TOC) employees are allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period, with a maximum of 19 hours per week.

Unit Position Summary

This position is a part-time, remote position.  Internally this position is recognized as a Technology Commercialization Intern and will examine MSU inventions to determine commercial potential using an established set of criteria and write reports of results.  Investigations must look beyond the wow factor of new technology to analyze the business reality of each situation.  Reports must clearly convey to MSUT Technology Managers, inventors, and industry partners the commercial potential of inventions and suggest additional development that would improve marketability.   

Individuals completing this job successfully will demonstrate to future employers that they can confidently evaluate technologies, demonstrate and quantify market potential for innovative products, estimate demand for new products and work with highly technical personnel in and out of formal team configurations.

All interns are held to the same policies as student employees detailed in the MSU Student Employment Manual:  https://www.hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/student-handbook/index.html

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES = 100% EFFORT:

Investigate and analyze commercial potential of technologies: 

• Review and understand new technologies described in Invention Disclosures.
• Interview inventors to gather additional information on new technologies.
• Identify the current state of development of new technologies.
• Identify “figures of merit”/market needs that drive adoption of new technologies and barriers that prevent adoption of new technologies; analogize and differentiate these factors from benefits and stage of development of MSU’s technologies.
• Search a variety of sources to locate documents related to markets for inventions, companies within applicable markets, and market sizes and trends.

Assist in the marketing of technologies in accordance with MSU policies:

• Working with Technology Managers, identify marketing targets to determine a short-list of target companies for license negotiation.
• With the Marketing Coordinator, produce and gather materials for marketing of technologies.
• With the MTA and CDA Coordinator, establish any needed material transfer agreements and/or confidential disclosure agreements in support of marketing lead validation.

Communicate findings in the form of reports, presentations and collections of documents:

• Generate reports for approval by executive management reflecting analysis of established factors relating to commercial prospects of technologies.
• Present results of commercial analyses to MSUT staff and to inventors.
• Support creation of technology development plans and patent strategies.
• With the Marketing Coordinator, develop Commercial Opportunity Announcements, web listings and other marketing materials, and marketing strategies and targets.

REQUIRED:

At least two years of course study in engineering, physical sciences or a related field.

Experience with: new product development; ability to search commercial and technology related information sources; ability to clearly summarize and report large amounts of information describing technology and commercial data; ability to communicate well with both scientists and business people; create and maintain paper and electronic documents and filing systems; accuracy, curiosity, persistency, creativity, discretion, analysis, decision-making, and organization skills. 

• Due to export control issues, Interns must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents (green card holders). To be considered for this position you must state your citizenship status in your cover letter.
• This position has flexible hours and will work virtually for a maximum of 19 hours per week.

Desired Qualifications

Completion of additional undergraduate course work in engineering, physical sciences or a related field.  Completion of some graduate level course work, either technical, legal or business (MBA).  Experience with technology transfer; knowledge and respect of policies and procedures outlined for Michigan State University: Manual of Business Procedures, MSU Copyright Policy, MSU Patent Policy, and general rules concerning University organization and procedures.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Cover letter, which must state your citizenship (see below), and resume.

Due to export control issues, Interns must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents (green card holders). To be considered for this position you must state your citizenship status in your cover letter.

Special Instructions

Due to export control issues, Interns must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents (green card holders). To be considered for this position you must state your citizenship status in your cover letter.

Work Hours

ON-CALL

Website

https://innovationcenter.msu.edu/tech-transfer-commercialization/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Advertised:Feb 14, 2024 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Feb 16, 2024 Eastern Standard Time