A new University of Iowa program is seeking a faculty member to mentor colleagues who have entrepreneurial aspirations to translate their research discoveries into products, services, or startup companies.

The UI Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development’s Innovative Fellowship Program wants a tenured or clinical track faculty member who can help build and nurture a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization across campus. The application deadline is Oct. 6.

The faculty fellow will provide leadership opportunities for colleagues who want to develop deep industry collaborations and share their own successful experiences and strategies for accelerating commercialization at campus entrepreneurial events. The appointment would begin in spring 2015 and last for up to three years.

“Translating research ideas into commercial practice is an essential part of our economic development mission as a public research university,” says UI Vice President for Research and Economic Development Dan Reed.

David Conrad, assistant vice president for economic development, says the fellowship is designed to provide faculty with the encouragement and support they need to tackle some of the world’s most important and difficult problems.

“This is an exciting time at the University of Iowa, with lots of opportunities for faculty to collaborate, innovate, and connect with like-minded partners outside the university,” Conrad says. “The fellow will be at the vanguard of this effort, serving as an important liaison between researchers and the Office of Research and Economic Development to spur and support the translation of research for public benefit.”

For more details, visit research.uiowa.edu/innovative-fellowship-program, or contact Cheryl Reardon, assistant vice president for research and economic development, at cheryl-reardon@uiowa.edu.

The UI Office of Research and Economic Development supports and advances research, scholarship, and creative activity on the campus. Through a broad variety of activities and services, it seeks to play an important role in the underpinning of these creative activities in the public and private sectors of Iowa and beyond.