Research & Materials Innovation Fellow (Volunteer)

About the role

Mentor A Promise is seeking a Research & Materials Innovation Fellow to support an emerging initiative focused on PFAS-free materials and next-generation protective equipment innovation.

This role combines:

• Technical research
• Sustainability exploration
• Strategic writing
• Partnership development
• Design-informed systems thinking
• Commercialization-aware collaboration strategy

The Fellow will help strengthen the initiative’s foundation through technical literature synthesis, white paper development, research partnership exploration, and strategic communication.

This role supports innovation efforts seeking safer and more sustainable material alternatives while helping position MAP as a thoughtful and mission-aligned collaborator within innovation ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Technical Literature & Research Development
• Conduct and synthesize technical literature reviews and white paper research related to PFAS-free materials, protective textiles, and emerging material alternatives
• Analyze scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, and market developments related to PFAS replacement technologies
• Translate technical findings into accessible and professionally organized materials
• Support research synthesis and strategic knowledge development
• White Paper & Strategic Writing
• Support drafting and refinement of technical literature reviews, briefing papers, and innovation white papers
• Help articulate the broader challenge, opportunity, and innovation pathway
• Contribute to materials that strengthen external credibility and research vision
• Support scientific and partnership-facing communication materials
• Research Partnership Development
• Identify and research universities, laboratories, startups, manufacturers, and innovators developing PFAS-free technologies
• Aid in partner mapping and outreach strategy development
• Support collaboration materials and partnership engagement documents
• Help cultivate thoughtful and mission-aligned innovation relationships
• Innovation & Commercialization Collaboration
• Help shape partnership positioning involving commercialization-sensitive and emerging technologies
• Support development of collaboration language that communicates shared value and ethical partnership potential
• Aid in positioning MAP as a credible and mission-aligned innovation collaborator
• Support professional partnership readiness and engagement strategy
• Concept Development & Design Research
• Support review and organization of inherited concept drawings, design assets, and innovation materials
• Help catalog and contextualize technical and visual development resources
• Collaborate with creative and technical teams to align research with design and systems thinking
• Strategic Vision & Opportunity Framing
• Help clarify and communicate long-term research goals and innovation pathways
• Support development of professional materials that strengthen partnership readiness
• Contribute to strategic conversations involving sustainability, materials innovation, and future applications

Qualifications

• We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds. Strong candidates may have experience or interest in:
• Materials science
• Environmental science
• Engineering
• Industrial or product design
• Sustainability research
• Techical or scientific writing
• Innovation strategy
• Policy or regulatory research
• Commercialization ecosystems
• Academic or applied research environments

Preferred Skills

• Strong research and analytical writing abilities
• Experience reviewing or interpreting scientific or technical literature
• Ability to organize complex information clearly and professionally
• Curiosity about sustainable materials and systems innovation
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Comfort working in interdisciplinary and early-stage environments
• Ability to work independently and contribute strategically

Commitment

Volunteer role

Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Minimum 6-month commitment required

Remote / hybrid collaboration with optional NYC engagement

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Brief statement of interest outlining relevant experience and interest in research, sustainability, or materials innovation