Quick Facts
- Location: Washington, DC / Remote (US)
- Employment Type: Part-time
- Department: graduate-phd
- Salary Range: $35,000 – $55,000 annually
- Reports To: Director of Research Intelligence
- Requisition ID: N5V8F1M
About Melan
Melan connects corporations and research institutions to accelerate technology partnerships in AI, biotech, robotics, materials science, quantum, and climate tech. We provide technology scouting, IP strategy, and research program management to help our clients turn early-stage research into commercial impact.
About The Role
The PhD Fellow in Technology Scouting is a part-time role for current PhD students to scout emerging technologies in their own field. Fellows contribute their deep domain expertise to identify and assess cutting-edge research with commercial potential.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Monitor emerging research and technologies in your PhD field and adjacent domains
- Identify and evaluate university spinouts and early-stage technologies with commercial potential
- Contribute technical assessments and domain expertise to scouting reports and landscape analyses
- Attend and report on academic conferences, seminars, and research presentations
- Write briefs on significant research breakthroughs and technology developments
- Participate in team discussions and contribute technical insights to client projects
Qualifications (required):
- Current PhD candidate in a STEM field (year 2 or later)
- Deep expertise in your specific research domain
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Excellent written communication skills for technical audiences
Qualifications (preferred):
- Previous experience in technology scouting, consulting, or industry research
- Published research in peer-reviewed journals or conferences
- Demonstrated interest in technology commercialization and innovation ecosystems
- Strong network within your academic research community
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $35,000 – $55,000 annually. Melan offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, equity, PTO, and professional development budget. The salary range displayed reflects an average base salary range for the position across all the U.S. The base salary offered to an applicant could be higher or lower based on each applicant’s specific skill set, depth of experience, relevant education or training, etc.
Working at Melan
A remote-first company with employees located throughout the U.S., Melan emphasizes transparency, accountability, and trust to create a collaborative environment where our teams thrive together.
Learn more about our culture, approach, technology, and people.
Melan is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Must be currently authorized to work in the USA without sponsorship or transfer.
No third-parties, please.
How to Apply
Submit your resume and a brief note on your relevant experience to careers@themelan.com. You must include the Requisition ID N5V8F1M in your document filenames. Applications submitted without the Req ID in filenames will not be reviewed.
