OTC InnovAItion Insights Intern

Description

The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) at Purdue Research Foundation manages the evaluation, protection, and marketing of innovations developed by Purdue University researchers. Each year, OTC receives hundreds of new technology disclosures that require careful assessment before they can be positioned for licensing or industry engagement.

As an InnovAItion Insights Intern, you will play a key role in this process by supporting the evaluation, organization, and promotion of early-stage technologies. This internship combines structured analysis with creative communication : from running disclosures through AI-driven assessment tools and preparing standardized reports, to maintaining and updating our public-facing licensing website that showcases Purdue’s technology portfolio.

This position is well-suited for students who are detail-oriented, curious about emerging innovations, and eager to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of research, business strategy, and technology commercialization.

This intern must be available to work at least 10 hours per week and live within driving distance of West Lafayette.

Additionally, candidates must be available to work for at least the next 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Run Technologies Through AI Agents : Input new and existing disclosures into our internal evaluation agents.
• Format & Export Reports : Copy and paste outputs into standardized Word templates, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Database Uploads : Save and upload finalized reports into our internal database (SharePoint / OneDrive).
• Slide Deck Creation : Generate marketing slide decks (1-pagers, pitch decks) based on agent outputs.
• Quality Check : Review AI outputs for clarity and completeness before finalizing documents.
• Create and upload AI-generated images for our technologies to the website.
• Update existing listings as technologies progress (patent status, TRL, commercialization stage).
• Support Licensing Associates : Assist with company outreach lists, LinkedIn research, and email preparation.
• Tailored Marketing Materials : Help adapt technology summaries / FAQs for specific companies or industries.
• Competitive Benchmarking Support : Compile short lists of competitor products or market activity using agent tools.
• Commercialization Insights : Contribute to prioritization discussions by flagging notable technologies or patterns in the pipeline.
• Perform website administration tasks : uploading of AI-generated images for our technologies.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Required Education, Experience and Benefits Summary

Purdue Research Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. PRF views, evaluates, and treats all persons in all Foundation-related activities solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics.  All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

PRF will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.

A criminal conviction check and negative controlled substance test are required for employment in this position.