Penn State’s Eberly College of Science is hiring a Technology Commercialization Specialist to provide critical support for early-stage translational research. In this role, you will help faculty, postdocs, and students navigate the path from research concepts toward externally aligned, fundable opportunities by focusing on upstream implementation planning, market exploration, and preparation for technology transfer and corporate partnerships.

What You'll Do

Coach faculty, postdocs, and students to advance translational pathways and align projects with market and societal needs.
Develop project-level approaches aligned with potential commercial outcomes like startups, federal translational funding, and corporate partnerships.
Conduct targeted market, technology landscape, and stakeholder analyses to inform research direction.
Track project progress and maturity using defined metrics and systems.
Identify bottlenecks and coordinate solutions across internal units and external partners.
Deliver training and individualized support to enhance researcher capability in industry-facing engagement and partnership formation.
Guide researchers in articulating market utility, application scenarios, and value propositions.
Support high-quality invention disclosures and early commercialization planning.
Help embed translational thinking into research design to strengthen future funding competitiveness.
Support early exploratory engagement with industry scientists to gather insights and improve translational fit.
Translate external feedback into clear guidance to help teams avoid low-value paths and align with real application needs.
Prepare teams for future external engagement by clarifying use-cases and value propositions.
Document early industry interest and support smooth handoff of mature opportunities to Corporate Engagement, OTM, or Sponsored Programs.
Strengthen downstream partnership and licensing outcomes by embedding early market awareness into project development.

What We're Looking For

A Master's Degree.
1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice to Have

Professional experience in technology partnerships, R&D engagement, commercialization, or translational programs.
Proven ability to guide early-stage technologies toward external alignment and funding.
Strong analytical and communication skills with academic and industry partners.
Experience supporting early-stage technologies from concept toward impact, including project coordination, market analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Experience navigating translational research challenges and assisting with implementation planning, industry engagement, and commercialization readiness.
Experience advising on technology development for potential commercial outlets.
Exposure to intellectual property or patenting processes.
Involvement in grant or funding proposal preparation.
Coordination of interdisciplinary research or innovation projects.

Team & Environment

You will be part of the Office for Innovation within the Eberly College of Science, supporting a dynamic and research-intensive environment.

Benefits & Compensation

Salary range: $68,200.00 - $102,300.00.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Robust retirement plans.
Substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
Generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.

Work Mode

This is a hybrid position.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness and foster a culture of belonging that supports all members of our community to thrive. Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.