UNeMed engages several outreach programs for two key reasons. First, UNeMed takes seriously its part in the University’s overall educational mission and in providing any opportunity for growth and learning. Second, we strongly believe that fostering a culture of innovation at UNMC and UNO will help us succeed in our mission.
Some of UNeMed’s educational programs target everyone at the University of Nebraska with general information regarding tech transfer, innovation and research. But there are also more specific programs tailored to individuals who show interest in transferring technologies to the commercial sector.
Former UNeMed interns and licensing fellows have gone on to excel at organizations that span the full spectrum of the technology transfer realm, including Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, RTI International, Northshore Bio, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Streck, Allergan, LI-COR and Notre Dame University, to name a few. Several have been hired to full-time licensing positions at UNeMed.
Internships | Licensing Fellowship | Boot Camp
Internship Program
UNeMed periodically offers summer and semester internship opportunities for students interested in technology transfer and related fields. However, all positions are currently filled, and we are not seeking additional applications at this time.
Licensing & Marketing Internship
UNeMed’s licensing and marketing interns gain hands-on training, mentorship and all the tools needed to launch a successful career in the technology transfer or biotechnology industry.
All interns work closely with experienced UNeMed staff to help biomedical inventions developed at UNMC and UNO move beyond the laboratory and into the marketplace. UNeMed interns will gain valuable, first-hand experience in a wide range of interdisciplinary, technology transfer-related activities, including:
- Invention evaluations
- Patent and copyright law
- Contract negotiation
- Startup business formation
- Technology marketing
The ideal candidate will:
- Be actively working towards or hold an advanced degree in a scientific field
- Have the ability to comprehend complicated scientific and technical information
- Have excellent research, analytical and writing skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Be an independent thinker who is self-motivated and can take initiative while still contributing to a dynamic, fast-paced team environment
- Be able to work with the diverse range of personalities often found among elite academic researchers and biomedical industry executives
- Have the ability work on several projects at one time
UNeMed interns will be expected to:
- Help evaluate new invention submissions
- Develop technical marketing summaries
- Conduct market analysis research
- Promote UNeMed and UNMC innovations to local, regional and national companies
- Manage marketing campaigns
- Identify potential licensees
- Develop communication strategies to promote UNMC and UNO technologies
All UNeMed internships are renewable, six-month appointments that cannot exceed one year. Most interns in previous years have remained on staff for a full year, and several have gone on to full-time, licensing positions, including current members of the permanent staff. Interns are expected to work at least 15 hours per week, with a maximum of 40 hours per week.
UNeMed Licensing Fellows Program
UNeMed licensing fellows are full-time employees in renewable one-year appointments, not to exceed three years. They receive University of Nebraska benefits, and compensation is consistent with NIH standards.
Because most UNeMed licensing fellows are drawn from the internship program, they typically perform many of the same duties they learned and practiced as interns. Licensing fellows, however, are afforded far more freedom and independence to evaluate and build their own accounts while developing and implementing their own marketing campaigns. UNeMed’s fellowship program is also unique in that it affords the flexibility for licensing fellows to define their own roles to fit their unique strengths.
Licensing fellows since 2008
Tyler Scherr, PhD, 2018-2019
Catherine Murari-Kanti, PhD, 2017-2018
Amanda Hawley, PhD, 2015-2016
Caronda Moore, PhD, 2013-2016
Agnes Lenagh, PhD, 2012-2015
Qian Zhang, PhD, M.B.A., 2011-2014
William Hadley, J.D., 2011-2013
Matt Boehm, PhD, 2009-2010
Russell Nelsen, J.D., 2009-2010
Tara Scrogin, J.D., 2008
- Completed a doctoral program
- Prior experience in technology transfer industry, OR
- Prior experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device or other relevant industry
- Excellent oral and presentation skills
- Excellent writing skills that can explain complicated information to a non-expert
- Experience and knowledge about intellectual property rights
- Experience and knowledge about market research
- An expert ability to grasp complicated scientific inventions
A successful licensing fellowship candidate might overcome a lack in one of these qualifications if they have expertise in a field that could help UNeMed better fulfill its mission, such as graphic design, videography or web coding and design.
UNeMed Licensing Fellows will be expected to independently:
- Evaluate new inventions and discoveries
- Develop technical marketing summaries and market analysis
- Promote UNMC and UNO innovations to domestic and international companies
- Manage technical marketing campaigns
- Develop legal assessments of intellectual property positions
- Develop strategies to promote the licensing of new inventions
Tech Transfer Boot Camp
In response to increased interest in its internship program, UNeMed has developed an interactive training camp to help prepare participants for a career in technology transfer.
The UNeMed Tech Transfer Boot Camp is a short program that emphasizes technology commercialization in a university environment. The program is designed as a technology transfer short course that introduces participants to the process and tools required to assess the commercialization potential and develop a marketing strategy for university-based innovations.
Admission to the program is based on the strength of the application including: academic accomplishments, career interests, and enthusiasm for technology innovation and commercialization.
UNeMed’s 2024 Technology Transfer Boot Camp will be held 8 a.m.-noon on Aug. 19-23, 2024. The deadline expired on July 1, and we are no longer accepting applications.
Questions regarding the Boot Camp can be directed to Amanda Hawley, PhD.
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