Graduate Student Assistant - Life Sciences

Job Description

Intellectual Property Research Student Assistant - Life Science

The Intellectual Property Research Student Assistant will assist in the technical and commercial evaluation of newly submitted invention disclosures submitted to the University and the Technology Transfer Office for a variety of disciplines.

Standard Learning Objectives
Interns will gain experience in technology evaluation and assessment through in-depth research. They will learn the process of the marketing and commercialization process to get university innovation into the marketplace.

Responsibilities

Primary duties include and are not limited to:

• Scientific, market, prior art/patent research analysis and assessment
• Translation of technical language into general terminology for the commercialization of university innovations.
• Assessing commercial feasibility of a new technology
• Creating technology marketing materials (flyers, brochures, etc.)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
• Candidate must be a currently enrolled USF graduate student with a biology and chemistry background.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges
• Ability to review scientific works and translate that into general layman terms for marketing purposes.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of work-related information.
• Strong attention to detail

Additional Information for Applicants

Assignment will be eligible for semester extensions based on performance.

Salary: $17 per hour.

Hours per week: 20

Schedule: Flexible with student schedule, position requires 20 hours per week. Monday - Friday, between the hours of 8 am - 5 pm.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.