Rise-Up program
Tech Transfer Fellows
The RISE-UP URI and URI Research Foundation Technology Transfer program (URI-URIRF TT) aims to transform ideas into potential startups through the formal and appropriate licensing of URI-produced technology. Through the program, trained fellows work to ensure that URI innovations developed by students, researchers, and faculty are identified, protected, and easily available for licensing.
TT Fellows Responsibilities
- Scientific, market, prior art, and patent research and analysis associated with URI-related IP/inventions
- Assess patent potential and viability of new inventions arising from URI research
- Determine technology readiness for licensing and market value propositions for early-stage inventions and where appropriate encourage translation in response to market opportunity
- Identify potential URI student and faculty inventors (and/or teams) for prospective inventions (based on URI IP)
- Categorize inventions into application-specific or industry segments
- Prepare technology marketing abstracts and other marketing materials for inventions
- Create and implement marketing strategies and tactics to generate interest in licensing university inventions
- Identity and engage prospects to generate licensing interest in university inventions
- Develop and manage long-term relationships with targeted companies and their executives within business development, research and development, and licensing units
- Collaborate with faculty researchers, centers, departments, and the technology commercialization team to leverage and promote University research/entrepreneurship expertise and technology to maximize the licensing potential of University discoveries and innovations
- Prepare slide decks for monthly invention review meetings with URI Intellectual Property Committee (IPC)
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Participants must be a current URI graduate student or postdoctoral fellow (contact us to discuss possible exceptions). Appointment to the URI-URIRF TT Fellows Program is intended to be concurrent with full-time status as a URI graduate student or postdoctoral fellow for the full duration of the Fellows Program
- Participants must have permission from their thesis adviser to participate in the URI-URIRF TT Fellows Program if they are a graduate student.
- Participants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or have CPT/OPT clearance with their visa to participate in the Program. Participants are responsible for any necessary CPT/OPT requirements.
- Participants must be able to commit ten (10) hours per week, and stay in the URI-URIRF TT Fellows Program for at least twelve (12) months.
Selection Criteria
- Written and oral communication skills
- Scientific/technical background and academic performance
- An entrepreneurial enthusiasm and willingness to work independently and take on new challenges
- Interest in technology transfer and/or prior experience (if any) in business or commercial environments
- Commitment and availability for up to ten (10) hours per week for a minimum of one year
- Professionalism and ethical conduct at all times
- Adherence to deadlines
- Work authorization to allow this type of appointment
Expectations
Upon hiring, fellows will attend a virtual RISE-UP URI-URIRF TT Fellows Program orientation and training session followed by at least a one-year intended commitment to the program. Hours vary, but projects are designed to be completed remotely in no more than ten hours on a weekly basis. Projects can be completed anytime within the deadline window (typically one week). Fellows are expected to have access to a computer and will be provided access to databases and other resources to complete their assignments. Fellows are expected to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the University of Rhode Island and maintain absolute confidentiality. Payment is dependent on background and experience.
Who Should Apply?
Students and candidates from all STEM backgrounds.
For more information about patents and Tech Transfer, contact riseupri@urirf.org.
Christine M.B. Smith
Director of Special Projects for the University of Rhode island Research Foundation (URIRF)
Program Lead
Christine currently serves as Director of Special Projects for the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation (URIRF) where her responsibilities include managing complex projects involving a broad variety of internal and external stakeholders to support the Foundation’s suite of rapidly growing programs for economic development and regional competitiveness. In this role she serves as a key member of the URIRF team dedicated to growing the RI Blue Economy.
Prior to joining the University, Christine managed multiple programs across a variety of sectors including non-profit, education (K-16), business, and government. Most recently, Christine served 15 years at the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation as Director of Innovation where she was responsible for launching statewide economic development initiatives that maximized the impact of science, technology and innovation. In this role she also served as executive director of the Rhode Island Science & Technology Advisory Council (STAC), a coalition of business, academic, medical, and government leaders that works to enhance the state’s R&D-related economic development opportunities by promoting collaboration across institutions, leveraging federal investments, and encouraging entrepreneurship and venture creation through the transfer of new technologies and discoveries into the marketplace. Earlier in her career, Christine served as Rhode Island’s International Trade Director and was responsible for expanding Rhode Island exports and foreign direct investment.
Christine is a graduate of the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service where she received a degree in diplomatic history. She uses her academic training to facilitate multistakeholder partnerships to benefit a stronger Rhode Island.
