Fellow, Blavatnik Fund

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Overview

The Fellowship year is November 1st through March 31st. Fellows receive a $100K salary plus benefits over the 17 months.

Working under the supervision of Yale Ventures directors for the full duration of their fellowships, Blavatnik Fellows provide valuable business and market-oriented assistance to Yale faculty members seeking financial support from The Blavatnik Fund for Innovation at Yale. Serving as an ad hoc consultant to a number of faculty innovators over the course of their year-long fellowship, Fellows play a key role in articulating the potential business case and quantifying the magnitude of unmet medical needs which faculty are seeking to remedy. This work entails not only an aptitude and enthusiasm for understanding the novel science behind Yale's many innovations, but also a penchant for framing the

market opportunities which such inventions may create. In the course of a Fellow's work, there will also be numerous opportunities to better understand the intellectual property landscape, working in close contact with Yale Ventures business development directors. Fellows will interact closely with Yale Ventures' entrepreneur-in-residence network, a highly curated volunteer group of more than 200 external business and scientific experts working in biotech, pharma, and consulting. Fellows will also help refine early stage pitch decks for investor consideration, working closely alongside scientific founders. Over the course of their fellowships, Fellows will build long-lasting networks of professional

connections which invariably influence their careers, exposing them to a wide range of more-experienced entrepreneurs and investors working in the life science industry.

This is a 17 month fellowship which will include an initial 5-month placement in the Blavatnik Fund operations team building COO-relevant skills. This extended Blavatnik Fellowship, offers the unique opportunity to support the Blavatnik Fund's portfolio of projects and work as part of the Blavatnik team for an additional 5 months of the fellowship. This will involve identifying qualified contract

research organizations, compiling statements of work and facilitating the execution of contracts. On completion of this training, they will join the incoming FY27 cohort for the 12-month fellowship.

More information about the fellowship and previous fellow cohorts can be found here: Blavatnik Fellowship | Yale Ventures

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Critical/strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Highly organized and detail oriented. Knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and AI tools.

2. Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to facilitate a team-based approach to complete projects with tact and diplomacy, while interacting with internal and external contacts and staff at all levels.

3. Proven ability to work successfully within a team environment and as an individual contributor. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Must be flexible to adjust work schedule to allow for team priorities to be met.

4. Demonstrated ability to manage several projects concurrently while balancing competing priorities and deadlines. Possess extreme flexibility in work focus. Proven ability to switch among several different projects without any adverse effects.

5. Comfortable and confident enough to manage projects that are outside one's current area of expertise. Willing to learn new things and ask questions to obtain required information. Ability to redirect efforts to stay on course, resolve conflict and provide the voice of reason when necessary.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Preferred candidates will possess at least one of the following: PhD in the life sciences/chemistry/pharmaceutical sciences/data sciences; OR a medical degree; OR an MBA with experience in evaluating life science commercialization

opportunities

2. Sufficient acumen in the life sciences to effectively interface with a wide variety of faculty exploring novel concepts in therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices.

3. Research and/or work experience in a health-related field is strongly preferred.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Pre-Proposals: In support of faculty considering submission of early stage technologies (pre-proposals): Assist in the evaluation and refinement of Yale innovations being considered as potential Blavatnik projects. Review pitch decks, coordinate with staff and consulting entrepreneurs-in-residence on the framing of commercialization opportunities, conduct market research using industry tools to assess markets and competitors.

2. Finalists: In support of faculty whose projects are selected as "Finalists": Work collaboratively and diplomatically with a small set of faculty investigators, staff and consultants to prepare a detailed development proposal for board consideration. Work closely with subject matter experts on an expanded commercialization plan, including building a deeper picture of the competitive landscape, as well as furnishing a review of the data package to date. Help consolidate feedback from prospective investors to build one or more go-to-market strategies.

3. Active Projects: In support of faculty selected as recipients of Blavatnik funding: Working with just a few principal investigators, become a part of the on-the-ground development team in advancing high value technologies through external partner organizations. Facilitate strong relationships, unity and focus with managers, directors and team members to achieve project goals. Effectively communicate logical project phases to participants, identify obstacles, recommend and implement solutions. Support several projects and utilize team-building skills to facilitate timely completion of projects.

4. Track all projects and their associated deliverables using appropriate tools. Monitor and report on the progress of the project, including problems and solutions. Intervene where necessary to keep projects on track in consultation with staff and faculty principal investigators.

5. Provide detailed information and written reports for decision-making and feedback to staff and Blavatnik Fund board members. Compile and present status reports to management, keeping them abreast of projects with summary updates.

6. Present project detail/status to staff and leadership at regular meetings when necessary.

7. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Masters' Degree and three years of experience in biopharma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date

07/30/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Administration & Operations

Compensation Grade Profile

Supervisor; Senior Associate (00)

Salary Range

0.00 - 0.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)

Work Model

Hybrid

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role's grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.