Small Business Innovation Research Specialist at University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota

Job Description:

Salary/Position Classification

• $60,000+ based on experience annual, Exempt


• 40 hours per week


• This position will work onsite our Grand Forks, ND campus.

This position is located at the Center for Innovation and will support CFI clients, UND faculty, and any student related (UND, NDUS, MS/HS) entrepreneurial activity through the delivery of technical assistance, business venture development, and training programs. In support of early-stage venture development, an additional component of this position's entrepreneurial technical assistance is dedicated to facilitating and managing SBIR/STTR programming for North Dakota, with a heightened emphasis on Department of Defense and National Security opportunities. This means this position will have lead responsibility for organizing all CFI entrepreneurial activity programs for campus facing commercialization activity as well as community-facing technical assistance where SBIR/STTR activity aligns. The technical assistance provided by this position requires working with partners across North Dakota such as the ND Department of Commerce and their related partners, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, economic development organizations, etc.

• Direct Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) activities to encourage business expansion and funding support.
  
  
  • Monitor and lead all SBIR/STTR funding opportunities and develop partnerships to encourage applications to the program.
  
  
  • Organize outreach and training opportunities with CFI marketing coordinator.
  
  
  • Support CFI clients with developing well-crafted SBIR/STTR applications in collaboration with CFI grant writer.
  
  
  • Provide entrepreneurial coaching for CFI clients by providing technical assistance to enable venture development and consider if/how SBIR/STTR funding is appropriate for their venture.
  
  
  • Foster and maintain a strong relationship with the North Spark Defense Lab at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in support of SBIR/STTR funding opportunities.
  
  
  • Manage grant reporting and participate in activities required by funders engaged in SBIR/STTR program management.
  
  
  • Follow up, maintain accurate documentation, and track outcomes/metrics.
  
  
  
  


• Support commercialization activities and opportunities.
  
  
  • Establish an atmosphere of partnership with UND leadership working on the national security initiative.
  
  
  • Identify & promote UND research strengths and goals to internal and external stakeholders.
  
  
  • Identify opportunities and innovative solutions to translating national security related research toward commercialization.
  
  
  • Collaborate with CFI staff on National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and DOD focused innovation activities.
  
  
  • Cultivate and coordinate strategic relationships with the US Department of Defense and defense industry partners.
  
  
  • Attend events and trainings focused on national security initiatives where appropriate.
  
  
  
  

• Mentoring, coaching, or training


• Desire to work with university focused entrepreneurial activity


• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills


• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, flexibility, and independent judgement


• Ability to work effectively as a team member


• Experience in a deadline driven work environment.


• Understanding of a variety of funding mechanisms to support startup business incubation

• Bachelor's degree


• Experience or familiarity with SBIR/STTR activities or with government procurement/grant funding mechanisms.


• Experience as an entrepreneur - launching a business, running a small business/ startup, etc.


• Experience with teaching, training, or mentoring individuals or teams interested in launching a business


• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other basic business software


• Position requires occasional evening and weekend work and travel


• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

• Experience in training entrepreneurial business incubation and coaching founders.


• Background in or experience running a small business.


• Experience with lean launch principles and/or business model canvas.


• Experience working with local, state, and federal government entities.


• Experience working with the U.S. Department of Defense or industry-university partnerships.