Call for Applications: Business Development Trainee
Washington University in St. Louis Office of Technology Management (WashU OTM)’s trainee program provides candidates with a 6-month opportunity to work alongside senior members of the university’s technology transfer team. The program exposes trainees to a broad range of technology transfer activities and provides firsthand experience in commercial development at a top research institution. Due to the nature of this role, a remote work agreement is possible.
Phase 1 (Months 1-2) – Observe, intake & shadow
- Shadow a mentor through case management process
- Explore basic understanding of business, legal, and scientific concepts associated with technology transfer
Phase 2 (Months 3-4) – Project driven
- Conduct inventor meetings with direction from senior staff members
- Complete assessments of technology disclosed and present to the licensing team
- Perform perfunctory case management with exposure to complicated cases
- Negotiate contracts
Phase 3 (Months 5-6) – Demonstration of skills
- Manage cases with guidance provided by senior staff members
- Manage complicated cases that may involve critical questions and gaps that may need to be understood and addressed with inventors
The trainee program requires all applicants to possess an advanced degree in the life science, biomedical, medical, or engineering areas (or equivalent work/education combined experience). A PhD and some business experience are preferred.
Upon completion of the trainee program, many candidates are promoted to permanent positions. Others have pursued opportunities with:
- Polsinelli
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Volentine & Whitt
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Kantar Health
Washington University in St. Louis offers rewarding opportunities in various fields at all levels, with positions in engineering, nursing and healthcare, research, administration, technology, security and more. We seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us in a supportive environment that encourages boldness, inclusion, and creativity.
