Blavatnik Fellow, Yale University
The advancement of pharmaceutical, biomedical, and digital health technologies towards the market requires the sustained involvement of both scientific innovators as well as entrepreneurial business leaders who can rationally assess and de-risk new approaches. Now seeking applicants for its sixth cohort of Fellows, the Blavatnik Life Science Fellowship seeks to engage young professionals with advanced training in the life sciences and business, to get involved in and further catalyze Yale's new venture ecosystem in close partnership with Yale faculty innovators.
Projects may include but are not limited to: assisting faculty and Yale Ventures staff in developing strategy and plans for potential funding by the Blavatnik Fund; conducting independent analyses of the market potential of new life science technologies; partnering with specific faculty on high potential projects to attract external funding from VCs/biotech/pharma companies/healthcare organizations. Fellows may also assist specific Yale faculty in refining their fund-raising and go-to-market strategies, perform competitive landscape analysis, platform-fit analysis, and help seek external partners. It is expected that Fellows are consummate communicators, keeping various project teams and key stakeholders informed, via by written or face-to-face communication. The Fellows also play important roles in the organization and delivery of two key annual events at Yale, the Life Sciences Pitchfest to be held in December 2023 and the Yale Innovation Summit, to be held in late Spring 2024.
Essential Duties
1. Pre-Proposals: In support of faculty considering submission of early stage technologies (pre-proposals): Assist in the evaluation and refinement of Yale innovations being considered as potential Blavatnik projects. Review pitch decks, coordinate with staff and consulting entrepreneurs-in-residence on the framing of commercialization opportunities, conduct market research using industry tools to assess markets and competitors. 2. Finalists: In support of faculty whose projects are selected as "Finalists": Work collaboratively and diplomatically with a small set of faculty investigators, OCR staff and consultants to prepare a detailed development proposal for board consideration. Work closely with subject matter experts on an expanded commercialization plan, including building a deeper picture of the competitive landscape, as well as furnishing a review of the data package to date. Help consolidate feedback from prospective investors to build one or more go-to-market strategies. 3. Active Projects: In support of faculty selected as recipients of Blavatnik funding: Working with just a few principal investigators, become a part of the on-the-ground development team in advancing high value technologies through external partner organizations. Facilitate strong relationships, unity and focus with managers, directors and team members to achieve project goals. Effectively communicate logical project phases to participants, identify obstacles, recommend and implement solutions. Support several projects and utilize team-building skills to facilitate timely completion of projects. 4. Track all projects and their associated deliverables using appropriate tools. Monitor and report on the progress of the project, including problems and solutions. Intervene where necessary to keep projects on track in consultation with staff and faculty principal investigators. 5. Provide detailed information and written reports for decision-making and feedback to staff and Blavatnik Fund board members. Compile and present status reports to management, keeping them abreast of projects with summary updates.6. Present project detail/status to OCR staff and leadership at regular meetings when necessary. 7. May perform other duties as assigned.