Are you a Vanderbilt graduate student looking to explore alternative career paths beyond the bench? Do you want to complement your scientific training with real-world experience at the intersection of science, business, and law?
The Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization at Vanderbilt University offers a paid internship program for graduate students interested in learning more about technology transfer. Applications are now closed, please check again in Spring 2027.
Technology transfer is the process of moving university inventions—such as therapeutics, medical devices, and software—into the marketplace, where they can benefit society and fuel economic growth. It’s a dynamic, interdisciplinary field that combines science and engineering with business development and legal strategy.
What Interns Do
After initial training, interns will work closely with CTTC’s licensing professionals to:
- Evaluate the technical, commercial, and legal potential of new Vanderbilt technologies
- Conduct market research and competitive analyses
- Draft marketing materials and prepare outreach campaigns for potential licensees
Additional projects may also be assigned throughout the internship based on the ever-evolving needs of the various teams within CTTC.
Eligibility
- Current Vanderbilt graduate student in a science or engineering discipline
- Available to commit approximately 8 hours per week through the duration of the internship, with the option to extend
- Verbal approval from your research advisor
Desired Qualifications
- Interest in intellectual property, business development, and technology commercialization
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to understand technical concepts outside of your specialty and explain them to non-specialists
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Willingness to work on projects outside your specific field of study
- Preference will be given to students who have passed qualifying exams and completed required coursework
Benefits
- Develop transferable skills valued across industries while gaining exposure to the deep tech commercialization process. Past interns have built on their experience to go into careers in technology transfer, consulting, intellectual property law, business development, and medical affairs.
- Unless funded by a grant that does not permit it, interns will be paid $16/hour.
Questions
For questions about the Technology Transfer Internship Program, please contact cttc.internship@vanderbilt.edu.
Please note: This is a competitive program and acceptance is not guaranteed. Participation does not imply or guarantee future employment at Vanderbilt or elsewhere.