Ximbassador Programme Legacy
The benefits of technology transfer internships?
Having researchers who understand the importance of translating and commercialising their research and who have an interest and experience in these areas can significantly help technology transfer offices, when it comes to translating research. However, post-docs, PhD or graduate life scientists can struggle to gain these skills or career experience outside of academia and research.
To this end, Ximbio created and offered the Ximbassador Programme between 2018 and 2020.
The Ximbassador Programme
Created specifically for post-doc, PhD or graduate life scientists looking to gain experience in alternative careers in science, the Ximbassador Programme was a paid internship run in conjunction with the institute or institute’s technology transfer office.
The role of the Ximbassador was to engage with laboratories on campus and uncover new research tools or materials of interest to other scientists. Run alongside the Ximbassador’s day-to-day research, the Ximbassador contributed to the identification, description and possible commercialisation of novel research tools generated at the university.
The Programme benefited both the Ximbassador
and the Technology Transfer Office:
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The Ximbassador gained:
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The
TTO benefitted by:
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o experience
of the world of tech transfer and commercialisation and unique work
experience for their CV
o transferable
skills vital for their future career success
o a
broad network of researcher and technology transfer connections
o
understanding of the business aspects of the life
sciences industry and the importance of research translation and Intellectual
Property
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o
Increasing understanding of the role of the
technology transfer office and the importance of translating research among
its institute’s researchers
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Taking advantage of an underutilised revenue
channel – the commercialisation of research tools
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Saving time and increasing efficiency and
value
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Gaining greater insight into the research
taking place in the institute and a communication channel with the
institute’s researchers
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Discover some of the stories
...of former Ximbassadors and Technology Transfer Offices who took part in the Ximbassador Programme
Developing Technology Transfer experience
Ximbio’s Ximbassador Programme was implemented at over 40 universities across 4 continents, however due to COVID-19, the Programme was unfortunately forced to close. There are still ways in which post-docs, PhD or graduate life scientists can gain translation or entrepreneurial experience:
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Cancer Research UK runs several events,
webinars and training sessions to help researchers gain entrepreneurial and
translational skills and experience. Discover
information on the next event and how they could help support you.
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Some Technology Transfer Offices offer
internships or volunteering opportunities for post-docs, PhD or graduate life
scientists. Contact your institute’s Technology Transfer Office, to discover if
there are any opportunities available at your institute.
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The Ximbio team is always looking to expand
its research tool portfolio. If you or your PI has any research tools you would
like to commercialise, contact us
to start the commercialisation process.
