Capstone Project Consultant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The ELITE Entrepreneurial Fellow serves as a key commercialization contributor within Penn's healthcare innovation ecosystem, advancing high-potential technologies developed across Penn and CHOP toward translation, licensing, or venture formation. As a core member of the ELITE Fellowship program, the Fellow drives the strategic, analytical, and operational work required to transform early-stage scientific or clinical discoveries into commercially viable solutions.

Under the joint leadership of Venture Lab and Penn Health-Tech, the Fellow functions as the entrepreneurial lead for a vetted health-tech capstone project, a structured, real-world commercialization project assigned to each Fellow. In this role, the Fellow conducts market discovery, engages directly with clinicians and end users, assesses product and regulatory pathways, evaluates intellectual property considerations, and develops go-to-market strategies. Fellows collaborate closely with faculty innovators, project teams, and regulatory, IP, and industry advisors to de-risk technologies and build clear commercialization pathways.

As entrepreneurial leads, Fellows exercise project leadership, including drafting and directing commercialization milestones, managing external consultants, and collaborating with faculty innovators and Penn Health-Tech leadership on key decisions.

Beyond project work, the Fellow participates actively in Penn's broader health-tech community through monthly seminars, investor roundtables, workshops, and Venture Lab programming, and by engaging with external stakeholders such as investors and industry partners. Fellows contribute to a collaborative, learning-oriented environment while gaining hands-on experience in innovation management, venture development, and healthcare commercialization.

The Fellow reports directly to the Senior Director of Healthcare Strategy and receives additional guidance from Penn Health-Tech leadership and faculty innovators.

This role requires strong analytical skills, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to synthesize technical, clinical, and commercial insights into actionable strategies. Through this year-long experience, Fellows help accelerate the advancement of Penn- and CHOP-developed health technologies while receiving structured mentorship, education, and exposure to the full continuum of healthcare innovation.

This is a full-time, limited-term position that is contingent upon funding. The position is for one (1) year, with the possibility of extending for one (1) additional year, subject to review after the first year. The start date for this position is August 1, 2026.

Position is based on-site in Philadelphia with hybrid flexibility consistent with Wharton's hybrid work policies. Work is performed in an office setting with regular in-person engagement across Penn, CHOP, and partner sites. Occasional evening or early-morning commitments may occur due to events, seminars, or meetings with external partners. Some travel may be required to attend conferences, site visits, or ecosystem engagements.

This is a full-time, 12-month fellowship with the possibility of one additional 12-month extension (maximum of 24 months total), subject to performance, project fit, program needs, available funding, and required University/HR approvals.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Specific Duties

• Lead the commercialization strategy for assigned Penn or CHOP technologies by developing and executing structured project plans spanning unmet need validation, value proposition refinement, market analysis, and strategic prioritization.
• Conduct stakeholder discovery across clinicians, patients, technical teams, investors, and end users to inform product requirements, workflow integration, and early go/no-go decision-making.
• Perform market analyses, competitive assessments, workflow evaluations, and early financial modeling to guide product direction and commercial feasibility.
• Collaborate with innovators, technical teams, and external partners throughout concept evaluation, prototyping, risk identification, and milestone planning to advance technologies toward translation.
• Coordinate with Penn Center for Innovation (PCI), PCI Ventures (PCIV), CHOP's Office of Technology Transfer, and external consultants to support IP landscape evaluations, invention disclosures, and patent-related activities, and execution of recommended regulatory and reimbursement strategies (including Q-Sub planning and early claims considerations).
• Develop high-quality commercialization materials, including pitch decks, milestone-based budgets, commercialization plans, proposals, and fundraising briefs, that outline early funding strategy (e.g., SBIR/STTR, early venture interest, partnership development).
• Prepare and deliver clear, persuasive presentations to leadership, faculty, partners, and investors, translating technical opportunities into compelling commercial narratives.
• Engage with key stakeholders across Venture Lab, Penn, and CHOP at events, seminars, workshops, and meetings.
• Participate fully in all Fellowship elements, including workshops, didactics, mentorship sessions, investor meetings, and cohort activities, and contribute to ongoing program development, peer learning, and community-building initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree (e.g., MS, MBA, MPH), doctoral degree (e.g., MD, PhD), or equivalent training in business, engineering, life sciences, public health, clinical fields, or related disciplines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated interest in health innovation or technology commercialization.
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and collaborate within cross-functional, fast-paced environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• A range of 2-5 years of professional, technical, consulting, clinical, entrepreneurial, or research experience in health-tech, medical devices, biotechnology, digital health, or related healthcare and/or technology sectors.
• Experience in early-stage innovation, design, prototyping, consulting, venture analysis, regulatory strategy, technology transfer, or startup formation.
• Familiarity with commercialization processes, including market research, IP evaluation, or regulatory considerations.