How to Apply
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.
Who We Are
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.
Job Summary
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.
Innovation Partnerships is seeking a full-time Fellow to work with the Licensing team to assist with generating marketing content for the broad range of innovations reported to our office by U-M researchers.
Responsibilities*
As part of the role, you will:
- Draft marketing abstracts for innovations arising from U-M research across all disciplines.
- Coordinate the posting of marketing abstracts to U-M online portals such as In-Part and eLucid.
- Support outbound marketing efforts for select inventions and innovation portfolios, including identifying potential industry partners and drafting outreach emails for review by licensing managers.
- Assist with developing marketing campaigns (e.g. social and digital promotion) of U-M innovations (e.g., coordinating content for Innovation Partnerships' LinkedIn and other approved channels)
- Create customized "innovation shortlists" and thematic portfolios (e.g., by industry, application area, or partner interest) in response to inbound industry inquiries and strategic outreach initiatives.
- Support CRM adoption and data quality, including entering and updating industry contact information, outreach touchpoints, campaign notes, and reporting fields in a centralized system as it is implemented.
- Help establish and maintain campaign tracking practices, including documenting outreach activities, outcomes, and follow-up needs using office-approved templates and workflows as they are developed.
- Prepare customized marketing materials at the request of licensing managers.
- Utilize AI tools to efficiently generate high-quality marketing content for a large volume of innovations.
- Stay abreast of new AI tools for performing tasks and make Innovation Partnerships' leadership aware of these tools and their benefits.
In this role, you will gain experience: drafting marketing content for groundbreaking scientific innovations; understanding new technological innovations to identify the unmet need and potential value proposition; developing marketing campaigns, working in a high-volume innovation office at a major public research university; leveraging AI to generate marketing content; working with technology marketing platforms such as eLucid and In-Part. This job is ideal for individuals seeking to enter the field of academic tech transfer, technology marketing, technology journalism, or other writing-based professions.
This position is a three-year, term-limited position.
Required Qualifications*
An advanced degree in a scientific field and a demonstrated ability and interest in writing marketing content, or a bachelor's degree and a background and interest in journalism or other writing discipline; the 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 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. This position is expected to make at least a twelve-month commitment to the office.
Modes of Work
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.
Additional Information
Don't meet every single requirement for this position? At U-M we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply.
Background Screening
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.
Application Deadline
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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.