Fellow, Blavatnik Fund

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, your talents and contributions are welcome.

About the role

The Fellowship year runs from November 1st through March 31st, spanning 17 months. Fellows receive a $100K salary plus benefits. Under the supervision of Yale Ventures directors, Blavatnik Fellows provide business and market-oriented assistance to Yale faculty seeking financial support from The Blavatnik Fund for Innovation at Yale.

Fellows serve as ad hoc consultants to faculty innovators, articulating the business case and quantifying unmet medical needs. This involves understanding the novel science behind Yale’s innovations and framing market opportunities. Fellows will engage with the intellectual property landscape, work closely with Yale Ventures’ entrepreneur-in-residence network (over 200 external experts in biotech, pharma, and consulting), and refine early-stage pitch decks for investor consideration.

The fellowship includes an initial 5-month placement in the Blavatnik Fund operations team to build COO-relevant skills, followed by 5 months supporting the Blavatnik Fund’s portfolio of projects. This involves identifying contract research organizations, compiling statements of work, and facilitating contract execution. Upon completion, Fellows join the incoming FY27 cohort for the 12-month fellowship.

More information about the fellowship and previous cohorts can be found at Blavatnik Fellowship | Yale Ventures.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Proposals: Assist in evaluating and refining Yale innovations for potential Blavatnik projects. Review pitch decks, coordinate with staff and entrepreneurs-in-residence on commercialization opportunities, and conduct market research using industry tools to assess markets and competitors.
• Finalists: Work collaboratively with faculty investigators, staff, and consultants to prepare detailed development proposals for board consideration. Develop expanded commercialization plans, analyze the competitive landscape, review data packages, and consolidate investor feedback to build go-to-market strategies.
• Active Projects: Support faculty selected for Blavatnik funding by advancing high-value technologies through external partners. Facilitate relationships, communicate project phases, identify obstacles, and implement solutions. Track project deliverables, monitor progress, and intervene to keep projects on track. Provide written reports and status updates to staff and board members.
• Compile and present project status reports to management and leadership at regular meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree and three years of experience in biopharma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Critical and strategic thinking with strong problem-solving skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and AI tools.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to facilitate team-based projects diplomatically.
• Proven ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules to meet team priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Extreme flexibility in work focus, with the ability to switch among projects seamlessly.
• Comfortable managing projects outside one’s current expertise; willingness to learn and ask questions.
• Ability to redirect efforts, resolve conflicts, and provide reasoned solutions when necessary.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will possess at least one of the following:

• PhD in life sciences, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or data sciences;
• Medical degree;
• MBA with experience in evaluating life science commercialization opportunities.

Sufficient acumen in the life sciences to effectively interface with faculty exploring novel concepts in therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices. Research or work experience in a health-related field is strongly preferred.

Benefits

Fellows receive a $100K salary plus benefits over the 17-month fellowship.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 17-month fellowship beginning November 1st and ending March 31st. The role operates on a hybrid work model.

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing, and credit checks based on the position requirements.