Promoting Opportunities for Trainee Inventors

The UIRF technology analyst program was created to provide professional development to University of Iowa trainees who are interested in innovation, intellectual property, commercialization, or exploring alternative careers. 

 

Interested individuals will use their own technology and research to gain hands-on experience working directly with a UIRF staff member. The program is flexible and designed to work around participants' existing obligations and curriculum; trainees are expected to put in 1-2 hours of work a week. 

 

Education for Trainees, Engagement for UIRF

Not only does this program provide a unique experience and education to UI students, it allows UIRF to have a deeper connection with innovators on campus. By working directly with students involved in everyday research, UIRF is able to stay alert to new technologies and can help set up students, faculty, and staff for success. 

Six to Ten Months

Average program time.

Hands-on Experience

Work directly with a UIRF licensing staff member.

Gain Diverse SKills

Technology review, marketing, and patent strategy.

Advance Innovation

Work on your own research.

Requirements

Student must be:

  • Currently enrolled at the University of Iowa as post-baccalaureate student, graduate student, or post-doctoral fellow.
  • Either a contributor on a recent UIRF invention disclosure OR;
  • Working with a mentor who has recently disclosed to UIRF and be familiar with the disclosed technology. 

Outcomes

  • Gain a strong understanding of UIRF's process and the basics of academic technology transfer.
  • Knowledge of how new technologies are reviewed and how commercialization strategies are developed.
  • Experience with common marketing techniques, and methods to find development funding.
  • A basic understanding of intellectual property (IP) and how IP strategies are determined for academic technologies. 
  • Experience moving their own technology through the pipeline. 

 

At the end of the program trainees will be awarded a certificate of completion.

 

Curious about joining?

Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to Sarah Sapouckey at sarah-sapouckey@uiowa.edu. 

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