Deadline: September 2, 2022
Applications for the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC) Entrepreneurial Fellows Award Program 2022 are now open. The program identifies and supports the professional development of junior life sciences researchers who are keen to develop the skills and experiences needed to move translational projects from a university lab toward commercialization and potentially into a Chicago-based biotech start-up.
The program exposes Fellows to a breadth of real-world experiences across the CBC institutions and connects trainees to the Chicago biomedical community.
The CBC Entrepreneurial Fellows will gain a network by:
- Working with the CBC Executive Director and Associate Director of Entrepreneurship
- Partnering with their member institution tech transfer and entrepreneurship offices: NU Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO), UIC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Office of Technology Management (OTM), UChicago Polsky Center
- Integrating with members of the EF Advisory Board and industry mentors
- Working with university faculty and experts in the greater Chicago bio entrepreneurship community
Duties
- Work with CBC university investigators in preparing proposals with the translational potential to CBC Award programs and other funding organizations.
- The fellows will be exposed to all aspects of drug discovery and early development including:
- Development of investment thesis and competitive positioning,
- Development of robust project plans, timelines, project budgets and resource allocations, generate project mitigation plans, competitive landscapes analysis, clinical strategies and regulatory strategy.
- Interact with Deerfield Management funded projects through Lakeside Discovery (NU) and West Loop Innovations (UIC) to accelerate the translation of transformative biomedical technologies.
- Coordinate intellectual property review of projects with Tech Transfer staff and Office of Sponsored Research to generate reports on patent status and potential encumbrances.
- Work with project team members to ensure the project plan incorporates all necessary regulatory requirements for documentation for drug safety, toxicology and manufacturing of clinical candidates.
- Cultivate a drug discovery culture at the CBC universities and beyond by participating actively in CBC-sponsored events, symposia, workshops and review panels.
Benefits
- Highly competitive salary with fringe benefits
- Funds are available for travel associated with program responsibilities
- Office space will be provided and shared with additional EFs
- Appointments are for 12 months but are renewable for an additional 12 months by mutual agreement
- A bird’s eye view of the pipeline of early stage biomedical applications
- An unparalleled network of peers and mentors in the bio-entrepreneurship space
Eligibility
- Recent MS, PhD, MD, PharmD/PhD or MD/PhD recipient or recently completed an initial post doc in the biomedical sciences (biology, molecular biology, biophysics, chemistry, chemical biology or related fields) with a strong interest and passion for driving innovative and transformational biomedical research from the university lab toward clinical and ultimately commercial applications.
- A broad interest in translational research, with a primary focus on development of therapeutics or associated diagnostics and biomarkers.
- Prior exposure to contemporary drug discovery/development is desirable, but a profound interest in furthering this exposure is essential.
- Strong verbal and written communication, along with outstanding analytical skills are critical.
- Detail oriented with strong organization and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and on a self-directed basis, but also as a high-functioning member of a team.
Application
Applicant should send in
- Cover Letter (no more than (2) pages) which should include an answer to the questions:
- why biotech/ bio-entrepreneurship
- why Chicagoland
- how the EF program will help your future career goals
- Thesis project and name of faculty advisor. They encourage applicants to use insights from your own journey and graduate career. As applicable, refer to specific, recent advances in the biotech commercial space that you consider exciting. Include your graduation date or anticipated graduation date as well as availability to begin Fellowship.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Names, titles and contact information of three references to provide letters of recommendation
All materials listed above must be assembled into a single PDF document in the order listed. Name the PDF file with your last and first name (e.g. Last_First.pdf). Formatting of all documents should be in 11-point font, single spaced, 0.5-inch margins, and standard letter size (8.5” x 11”). Embedded figures are acceptable.
For more information, visit CBC Award.