Graduate Student Technology Transfer Internship Program

The Office of Technology Asset Management at the Wake Forest School of Medicine has a paid, 4-6 hours a week, semester-long technology transfer internship every year.

Technology Transfer is the practice of transferring inventions from the research lab to the marketplace and is an interesting blend of science, business, and law.  The Internship begins with a six session “Boot Camp” that provides the basics of invention evaluation (from both a commercial and patent perspective), intellectual property protection, and commercialization/licensing strategies.  Once completed, each Intern is paired up with a licensing professional in our office to apply those skills to help evaluate, protect and commercialize real-world Wake Forest inventions.  Along the course of the Internship, the intern learns about the many steps involved in turning a new scientific technology into a commercial product, which includes pursuing patent protection, analyzing markets and drafting agreements.

This is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to explore a career that requires broad scientific expertise, business insight, and legal acumen to convert basic research into practical applications.

  The deadline to apply for this year's Technology Transfer Internship was June 3, 2011.

Internship Requirements:

• Full time Ph.D. candidate in any scientific discipline at Wake Forest University or Wake Forest University School of Medicine  
• Can commit 4-6 hours a week at our office in the Piedmont Triad Research Park 
• Has completed all required coursework necessary for degree
• Has passed applicable qualifying exams for Ph.D. candidacy
• Permission of research advisor

Interested students should submit the following information via email to Dr. Susalka (ssusalka@wakehealth.edu):

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript

Applicants who are accepted into the Internship will also be required to complete the Internship Student Application and Approval Form.