Partnership & Business Development
Chicago Biomedical Consortium
Mentor
Michelle Hoffmann, PhD Executive Director, Chicago Biomedical Consortium
About the CBC
The mission of the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC) is to stimulate collaboration among scientists at Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and others to accelerate discovery that will transform biomedical research and improve the health of humankind. Supported by generous underwriting from the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, the CBC places an emphasis on translational research and programs to foster and mentor biomedical entrepreneurs. The CBC works closely with the Chicago biomedical community and the biotechnology industry, all with the goal of improving the health of humankind and making a more vibrant Chicago. Three programs support these endeavors: (1) The CBC Accelerator Network regularly brings together academic and industry scientists to discuss ideas for commercialization and to educate entrepreneurial-minded researchers about market realities; (2) The CBC Accelerator Awards supports translational research and provide university researchers with early commercial guidance. The awards are used to support the initial—and therefore highest-risk—stage of commercially directed research. Industry experts will participate in the merit-based selection of projects; and (3) The CBC Entrepreneurial Fellowship program identifies and supports cohorts of young researchers interested in working in the biotech startup space of Chicago.
Externship Description
The CBC has an opportunity for an extern who wants to help the CBC build partnerships with industry, venture, and philanthropy across the US and Chicagoland. The extern will have a cursory knowledge of how early-stage biomedical applications get funded as well as well as a desire to help make connections that benefit the CBC and our scientists. The extern will observe and learn tactics and strategy as we increase the prominence of our organization.
Objectives
Specifically, the extern will be responsible for:
- Helping organize our customer relationship management system.
- Using data from the system to develop insights into potential partners.
- Researching available funding sources and partners (industry, venture, other).
- Developing the strategy to network towards them.
- Helping put together the materials that explain the CBC’s value proposition.
Qualifications
The successful extern will be self-motivated, a meticulous writer, possess the ability to work with faculty, staff, students, and other researchers, and willing to learn new skills. The extern should also be very organized and interested in and available for meetings where we discuss the CBC value proposition.