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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The University of Michigan is one of the world’s most powerful engines for research, education, and impact. Supporting the University’s research enterprise is vital to maximize innovation and economic growth. The Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund (MBVF) places equity investments and provides support to early-stage life science, biomedical, and healthcare startups affiliated with U-M to help them commercialize research in impactful ways. Great ideas require capital and expertise to advance them into treatments and technologies that can positively impact patients and clinical care. The MBVF plays a crucial role in advancing U-M’s leadership in health innovation, attracting world-class research talent, and building a stronger entrepreneurial life science ecosystem around the U-M community.

The Senior Venture Analyst will support Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund operations, including deal sourcing, due diligence, investment analysis, portfolio management, industry and technology trend analysis, and networking. The MBVF is jointly administered by the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) in Michigan Engineering and Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) in the Medical School. You will report to the MBVF Fund Manager and collaborate with the CFE and FFMI teams to support the broader mission of the units.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the CFE is to unlock the full entrepreneurial potential at the University of Michigan by helping people to understand, experience, practice, and refine the skills needed to successfully translate their knowledge, ideas, leadership, creativity, and enthusiasm into lasting value in the world. We achieve this potential by providing access to a wide variety of educational opportunities, immersive learning experiences, timely and powerful mentorship, and meaningful connections to the global industry leaders who are building the future. Additional information about the CFE can be found here.

Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) is part of the Office of Research at the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS). As the “front door” to biomedical innovation, FFMI accelerates commercialization of technologies in diagnostics, therapeutics, devices, and healthcare IT.  With the ultimate goal of impacting patient health, FFMI supports research at its inception, collaborates with commercial partners, and nurtures a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by providing faculty, researchers, and students with tools and knowledge to translate an idea into something of impact. Additional information about FFMI can be found here.

Who We Are

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. Michigan Engineering’s mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found here.

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering here.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Responsibilities*

Investment Analysis

• Prepare analyses and investment memos including scientific, clinical, technical, and financial due diligence for potential life science startup investments; provide recommendations in the form of an investment thesis.
• Assist with investment pipeline management and deal flow sourcing, which includes attending internal presentations and talks, collaborating with the Office of Innovation Partnerships and assisting with deal flow meetings.
• Conduct due diligence via customer discovery interviews, market research, scientific and technical analysis, business model analysis, key opinion leader interviews, etc. in support of investment decisions.
• Maintain accurate meeting notes and documentation for companies undergoing due diligence.
• Present to venture investors at Investment Advisory Board meetings, document feedback and suggestions, etc.

Portfolio Management

• Support Fund Manager with portfolio management: follow-on funding, valuations, data collection and analysis for portfolio updates, attending board meetings as-needed, building relationships with potential co-investors.
• Analyze, compare and evaluate various courses of action in the process of investment decisions or portfolio company requests.

Networking and Outreach

• Assist in networking and relationship management with internal and external partners to build the fund’s local and national network, such as: other investors, alumni, customers, experts, the local investment community, MVCA, and other local groups.
• Represent the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund in conferences / trade meetings / talks such as Midwest Growth Capital Symposium, JP Morgan Healthcare, etc.
• Occasionally will be required to be a part of review committees, judge pitch competitions, mentor life science project teams for the university or external groups, etc.

Market Assessment and Trends Analysis

• Conduct general business intelligence and market research to analyze bio/med industry trends, gauge investor interest, and benchmark investments.
• Review, synthesize, and summarize scientific and clinical research publications and identify potential opportunities, risks and limitations.

Required Qualifications*

• Senior level: Bachelor’s degree and 5-8 years of work experience in life sciences, bio/med/health startups, or early-stage investments, venture capital investing, and with the process of research commercialization.
• Intermediate level: Bachelor’s degree and 2-5 years of work experience in life sciences, bio/med/health startups, or early-stage investments, venture capital investing, and with the process of research commercialization.
• Ability to search and analyze scientific literature, consult industry experts, synthesize and concisely communicate complex scientific information.
• Understanding of the drug approval process.
• Strong organizational, project management, presentation, and communication skills to interact with faculty, staff, external investors and stakeholders.
• Ability to set priorities for self and others.
• Ability to interact effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
• Comfort in navigating ambiguity with a can-do attitude, sound judgment, adaptable and quick learner, willingness to acquire and develop new skills as needed.
• Proficiency in computer software (spreadsheets, word processing, PowerPoint).

Desired Qualifications*

• Master’s degree or PhD related to life sciences strongly preferred.
• Experience with biopharma and drug development; immersed in the world of therapeutics news, literature, companies, etc.
• Work experience in venture capital.

Work Locations

Your position will be classified as FLEX within the Michigan Engineering STARR classification matrix. You will work, on average, 2-3 days each week on campus and the rest offsite. You can find more information here.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Additional Information

The Venture Analyst will travel to participate in events, meetings, and conferences throughout the year. Travel will not exceed 10% of the time in this role.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.