INVITATION TO PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS ADVISORS

The Science Center’s QED Proof-of-Concept Program is seeking Business Advisors to enrich the development of life science technologies in collaboration with academic investigators in the Greater Philadelphia Region.  The QED Program aims to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of selected projects by carefully matching Business Advisors with investigators in order to develop market-driven research proposals.  Currently, the Science Center is building an accomplished group of advisors across multiple disciplines in the life sciences with the following qualifications and interests:

• Extensive experience in life sciences product development, marketing, new business development, or a related function.

• Ability to work with academic scientists (sharing leadership and influencing appropriately in an advisory role), Technology Transfer Office personnel, existing commercial sponsors, and potential licensees or private investors.

• Availability and flexibility to work in a focused, part-time role (~5-10 hours/week from August–October 2012), while maintaining the confidentiality of privileged information and avoiding conflicts of interest. 

• Assistance with the preparation of a milestone-oriented comprehensive R&D proposal to be submitted in mid-October 2012, and then a brief business presentation to the QED Selection Team in late November 2012

Participation is on a voluntary basis, although a small honorarium will be provided to QED Business Advisors who work directly with investigators during the eight week proposal preparation period.  To date, we have matched over 40 Business Advisors with investigators developing QED proposals, and many have forged lasting relationships as a result. 

Further details are provided in the Guidelines for QED Business Advisors document, available on The Science Center website (www.sciencecenter.org/programs/qed/how-to-apply). The Science Center is looking for expressions of interest, and will be following up by arranging meetings or phone calls to provide more information about the program.  Interested candidates may submit a CV via email by June 22th to:
 
   Adam Greenspan
   QED Program Manager
   University City Science Center
   agreenspan@sciencecenter.org