UMD I-CORPS

Job Description: The University of Maryland (UMD) is seeking a part-time Innovation Analyst to help with the market research, analysis, and assessment of novel university research. The Innovation Analyst will play a vital role inthe Maryland innovation ecosystem. This paid internship aims to foster valuable workforce training, as well as technology commercialization experience among diverse students and leverage UMD's existing research portfolio.

The Innovation Analyst will embark on a transformativejourney over a period of approximately 6-24 weeks. During this time, they will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with faculty researchers, engage in design thinking workshops, explore use cases for cutting-edge technologies, and gain hands-on experience in the field of early-stage entrepreneurship. Interns will be evaluating University of Maryland innovations for their commercial potential, conducting market research, and recommending the proper commercialization path forward.

Upon successful completion of the ~6-24-week internship, interns will present recommendations on pursuing a startup or other commercialization pathways.

Responsibilities

1. Collaborate with faculty researchers to gain a deep understanding of their innovative technologies and research projects
2. Participate in a design thinking workshop to brainstorm and map out potential use cases for the identified technologies.
3. Work closely with the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps program and Mtech Ventures to conduct customer discovery, collect valuable potential stakeholder feedback, and explore a potential business model.
4. Conduct market analysis to assess the viability and potential impact of the technology in one or more target markets.
5. Engage with entrepreneurs-in-residence to gain insights into successful entrepreneurial practices and real-world challenges.
6. Prepare a commercialization plan and go-to-market strategy recommendations for the identified technologies based on market analysis and customer feedback.
7. Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment, encouraging knowledge sharing and networking among fellow interns.
8. Contribute to the overall success of the Emerging Technology Internship program and its objectives.

Minimum Qualifications Required to Perform Work:

1. Currently enrolled as a graduate student or graduating senior at the University of Maryland, College Park.
2. Demonstrated interest in technology entrepreneurship, early-stage startups, and/or STEM research.
3. Strong analytical skills and ability to think critically about complex problems.
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty researchers, mentors, and fellow interns.
5. Self-motivated and able to work independently, while also being a proactive team player.
6. Passionate about innovation and bringing research from academia to the market.
7. Prior experience in design thinking, customer discovery, or market analysis is preferred but not required.

Pay: $18.00-22.00 per hour

Benefits:

1. Opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in early-stage entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.
2. Exposure to cutting-edge research and emerging technologies from UMD's research portfolio.
3. Networking opportunities with faculty researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.
4. Enhance your resume and build a strong foundation for future career opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
5. Possibility of continuing past the internship program to create a company based on the identified technologies beyond the program.

About UMD I-Corps and the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps Hub

I-Corps programs at UMD and MSU are funded in part by the NSF, and the programs serve researchers seeking to translate inventions into startup activities to address societal needs.  The program is part of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) in the A. James Clark College of Engineering.  Applicants should familiarize themselves with the details ofthe UMD I-Corps program, NSF’s national I-Corps program, and with the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps Hub. 

The program provides real-world, hands-on training on how to successfully incorporate innovation into successful products to solve societal problems. The curriculum is based on the Lean Startup framework and provides animmersive learning experience through which researchers can better understand the market potential of an innovation. 

About the Maryland Innovation Extension

The Maryland Innovation Extension is an Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center, with additional support coming from matching partners at the UM Ventures Baltimore Fund, TEDCO MII, TEDCO RBII, TEDCO UBII, and the University System of Maryland (USM). Through the extension, the University of Maryland and Morgan State University, along with partner institutions Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and the University of Baltimore, are collaborating to bring entrepreneurial resources to the entire state of Maryland, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship.