Technology Scout Intern – Part-time

Summary

Debut is an unconventional innovation lab that develops performance beauty ingredients through biotechnology, from discovery through manufacturing and formulated products. The Technology Scout Intern will evaluate external technologies by analyzing scientific literature and patents, assessing technical and commercial potential, tracking intellectual property and competitors, and advising the CEO on investment-worthy opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Run fast technical diligence on the general themes and broad concepts Debut requires for future programs. Turn around a recommendation in days
• Read patents and published applications. Identify the independent claims, define what is actually protected, and flag where claim scope is narrower or broader than the marketing suggests
• Separate a defensible scientific claim from an unsupported one. Say so plainly when the data does not hold up
• Write one-page briefs: what the technology is, what is novel, what is protected, and what you recommend
• Maintain a tracker of technologies, companies, and Intellectual Property (IP) across the areas you are assigned
• Monitor competitor publications, patent filings, and funding activity
• Prepare technical background ahead of external meetings
• Brief the CEO directly and defend your conclusion when it gets challenged

Skills

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in biochemistry, biology, or molecular biology
• No MBA. We are not looking for a business degree and we are not looking for someone pursuing one
• Able to hold a technical conversation with academic and industry leaders on how a technology works, what it does, and its technology readiness level (TRL)
• Demonstrated ability to read patent literature and extract the major claims, including claim structure and scope
• Strong command of primary literature. You can judge whether an experiment actually supports its stated conclusion
• Genuine interest in the commercial side of science. Curiosity about deals, markets, and competitive position
• Writes short. Conclusion first, evidence second
• Comfortable making a call on incomplete information and stating your confidence level
• Self-directed. This role is remote with minimal supervision and a high trust bar
• Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck
• Frequent sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers
• Occasional walking, standing, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and lifting and carrying of files weighing up to 15 pounds
• The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment as needed
• Skin biology is strongly preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in biochemistry, biology, or molecular biology
• No MBA. We are not looking for a business degree and we are not looking for someone pursuing one
• Able to hold a technical conversation with academic and industry leaders on how a technology works, what it does, and its technology readiness level (TRL)
• Demonstrated ability to read patent literature and extract the major claims, including claim structure and scope
• Strong command of primary literature. You can judge whether an experiment actually supports its stated conclusion
• Genuine interest in the commercial side of science. Curiosity about deals, markets, and competitive position
• Writes short. Conclusion first, evidence second
• Comfortable making a call on incomplete information and stating your confidence level
• Self-directed. This role is remote with minimal supervision and a high trust bar
• Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck
• Frequent sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers
• Occasional walking, standing, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and lifting and carrying of files weighing up to 15 pounds
• The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment as needed

Nice to Haves

• Skin biology is strongly preferred

Benefits

• Remote work
• 10 to 20 hours per week