RTI International's Center for Innovation and Advanced Evaluation (CIAE) is seeking a paid, virtual Innovation Consulting Intern with a chemistry focus. The intern will support innovation consulting teams by conducting primary and secondary research that informs the development of insights and actionable recommendations to clients facing technology-focused challenges. Interns will support project teams for commercial and federal clients looking to expand into new markets, acquire new technology, assess a technology portfolio, solve a technical problem, or iterate on their existing practices. Example client environments include commercial entities such as Syngenta, Newell Brands, and Medtronic; science-funding and mission agencies such as NSF, NASA, and NIH; as well as philanthropic and nonprofit organizations advancing research, health, and technology adoption.


What You Will Do

The Innovation Consulting Intern will be mentored by and work with staff to conduct tasks related to market research and commercialization of new technologies. While the intern will focus on projects requiring chemistry expertise (for example functional ingredients in food, chemicals of concern, consumer packaged goods formulations), they must be comfortable working in domains that are often outside the scope of a candidate's current study or experience.

Responsibilities

🔬 Conduct research using secondary resources (published company information, SEC filings, scholarly journals, trade literature, and news articles), as well as primary resources (phone interviews) when needed

📊 Provide insightful analysis of opportunities identified during primary and secondary research in written and oral formats

📝 Develop marketing descriptions of new technologies and conduct research in a wide range of technology areas and industries

🤖 Apply general technical acumen and scientific skills to evaluate a variety of technologies, while using AI-enabled tools strategically and responsibly

🎓 Also open now: Internship in 🇺🇸 the United States 🎓 Refugee Youth Mentoring and Tutoring at a Humanitarian Organisation → https://youthworkshub.org/20537

Internship Learning Objectives

💡 Learn how to conduct, aggregate, and analyze research to develop actionable insights for federal and commercial clients

🧪 Learn how to apply a chemistry background to understanding and solving technical needs for federal and commercial clients

🧭 Learn how innovation consulting projects operate

This is a part-time position between 15 and 30 hours per week.

What You Will Need

Required qualifications:

📌 Currently enrolled student or recent graduate of a science or business graduate degree program (such as a master's program in entrepreneurship or engineering management)

📌 Demonstrated comfort and willingness to regularly work outside the scope of the candidate's technical field of study, including communication with technical experts

📌 Detail-oriented and able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team

📌 Exceptional written and oral communication, time management, and analytical skills

Preferred qualifications:

🔹 Academic coursework in areas such as food science or nutrition physiology, sustainability or packaging (including the circular economy or chemicals of concern), or materials chemistry

🔹 Experience or career interest in innovation, technology commercialization and consulting

🔹 Experience in fields such as food science, consumer packaged goods, or sustainability is a plus

🔹 Knowledge of or previous experience with product or process development, portfolio mapping/valuation, market research, technology evaluation, and/or technology transfer

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated pay range for this role is $25.00 to $30.00 per hour. RTI's pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location. At RTI, individual and team achievement is rewarded through a total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit-based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program, along with a competitive range of insurance plans, access to a retirement savings program, paid parental leave, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

💡 You might also like: Internship in 🇨🇿 the Czech Republic 📊 Product Management Trainee in Financial Services → https://youthworkshub.org/19734

How to Apply

Apply through the RTI careers portal.

🔗 https://careers.rti.org/jobs/13538