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Innovation Intern Program

Innovation Intern Program The USC Stevens Innovation Intern Program offers graduate students in science, engineering, and business a unique and competitive opportunity to experience firsthand how new technologies go from idea to market.

Innovation Interns receive training and mentorship to immediately serve in one of three focus areas: engineering/physical sciences licensing, life sciences licensing, and new ventures. Interns support USC Stevens in its mission to help USC innovators make maximum impact with their ideas.

This opportunity will allow you to contribute to new approaches in innovation management in an entrepreneurial culture within USC – a bold and forward-thinking academic institution.

 

Focus Areas

Licensing:

Interns support commercial feasibility analysis and marketing of USC technologies. They conduct technology and market research, identify licensing prospects, and create marketing materials for USC inventions. Interns perform the following:

  • Novelty searching, to find potential prior art that may affect patentability.
     
  • Evaluation of potential market applications.
     
  • Market research, to identify companies that are best suited to commercialize these applications.
     
  • Company research, to uncover contacts and other detailed information about prospective licensees.

New Ventures:

Interns support the USC Stevens New Ventures and Alliances team. Interns perform the following:

  • Conduct market assessments (involving both primary and secondary research) and prepare detailed business feasibility studies for new technologies.
     
  • Support USC entrepreneurs in residence and prepare related business plans.
     
  • Evaluate and develop business models and market penetration strategies.
     
  • Supplement USC Stevens translational programs (including the Ideas Empowered Program and the USC Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program), which provide guidance, mentorship, and proof of principle research funding to key research projects at USC.

Preferred Qualifications and Eligibility
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
  • Currently enrolled as a graduate student (PhD, Masters, MBA, etc.), with demonstrated progress toward an advanced degree in science, engineering, or business
     
  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, physical sciences, or life sciences field
     
  • Passion for emerging technologies and entrepreneurship
     
  • Highly self-motivated with ability to complete multiple tasks in timely fashion
     
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
     
  • Desire to learn and grow
Time Commitments and Additional Qualifications

Licensing Candidates: 

Ideal candidates are graduate students in science and engineering fields. No prior business experience or training is required, but it can be a plus. Candidates should be prepared to commit 10-12 hours per week to the program for each term (Fall, Spring, and Summer) in which they serve. During summer months, interns are encouraged, but not required, to spend up to 20 hours per week in the program. Most work is conducted at USC Stevens offices in downtown Los Angeles.

New Ventures Candidates:

Ideal candidates are either:

  • MBA candidates with a bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science field; or
     
  • Engineering or science graduate students with startup or other industry experience

Interns with a special interest/aptitude in Biomedical Engineering and medical device commercialization are particularly desirable for New Ventures assignments.

New Ventures interns should be prepared to commit 20 hours per week to the program for the bulk of each term in which they serve. These time commitments are most intense from the beginning through the first three quarters of the Fall and Spring terms, when USC Stevens’ translational programs are in full swing.

How to Apply
Apply in three steps:

1. Download the Innovation Intern Application Form.

2. Study one of the following technology cases to analyze in your application:
a. DNA Methylation Assay
i. Manuscript
ii. Patent

b. MEMS Vascular Sensor Case
i. Manuscript
ii. Patent

c. Multiple Listener Equalization
i. Manuscript
ii. Patent

3. Visit the Submission Page to submit your resume/CV and your completed application form.  You are encouraged to apply early.



Questions about the application process? Email us at Innovation_Interns@stevens.usc.edu.