Open Student Assistant Positions — UW Tech Exploration Lab 2026–27
The UW Tech Exploration Lab moves applied AI and emerging technology ideas from campus exploration into real-world validation. We are expanding our team for 2026–27.
Application deadline: August 14, 2026
Graduate Student Positions — Leadership Fellows
Open to graduate students, MBAs, and post-doctoral researchers. $25/hour | Up to 20 hrs/week | Reports to: Associate Director (except Industry & Alumni Engagement Fellow, who reports to Executive Director)
Industry Projects Fellow
Owns the Lab’s industry Co-Lab partnerships and sponsored project engagements end-to-end — from problem scoping through final deliverable.
- Primary contact for industry partners, managing timelines, communications, and expectations
- Executes the Digital Health Challenge and other industry-sponsored engagements
- Produces project documentation, partner-facing materials, and progress reporting
Best fit: MBA or graduate student with strong project management skills, professional presence, and interest in corporate innovation.
Research Translation Fellow
Owns the Lab’s research-to-market pipeline — engaging UW faculty, identifying commercial potential, and moving opportunities into student projects or venture pathways.
- Builds and maintains relationships across UW research centers, labs, and academic units
- Produces commercialization briefs and market framing documents that make research accessible to students and industry partners
- Prioritizes which opportunities enter the active project pipeline
Best fit: Post-doctoral researcher or graduate student with interest in tech transfer and the range to work across domains.
Student Venture Pathway Fellow
Owns the operational rhythm of the Lab’s student venture pathway — from Self-Directed Innovation through Discovery, Build, and Founder Lab.
- Tracks team milestones, runs check-ins, and flags teams that need additional support
- Manages logistics for Build Nights, BuildFest, and Founder Lab sessions
- Owns student onboarding into the pathway and internal communications
Best fit: MBA or graduate student with strong project management skills and genuine interest in entrepreneurship programming.
Industry & Alumni Engagement Fellow
Reports to: Executive Director
Owns the Lab’s partner outreach, alumni relationship management, and external engagement pipeline.
- Manages the Lab’s CRM and partner/alumni contact database
- Drafts outreach, schedules meetings, and tracks follow-up across the partner pipeline
- Coordinates partner and alumni engagement events and stewardship touchpoints
Best fit: MBA or graduate student with strong professional presence, excellent writing skills, and genuine interest in partnerships and alumni relations.
Undergraduate Positions — Associates
Open to currently enrolled UW undergraduates only. $15/hour | 10–15 hrs/week | Reports to: Lab Fellow
AI/Technical Builder
Embedded in active Lab projects — building prototypes, running experiments with frontier technologies, and contributing to campus and industry-driven challenges. Expected to ship, test, and iterate.
- Works across AI, blockchain, XR, and emerging platforms
- Contributes to industry-sponsored technical challenges
- Documents work and shares findings with the broader Lab community
Best fit: Undergraduate in CS, data science, engineering, or information science with a builder’s mindset. Sophomore standing or above preferred.
Events & Operations Associate
Owns logistics behind every Lab event — from weekly Build Nights to BuildFest and partner showcases.
- Books spaces, coordinates catering, AV, and room configuration
- Builds and maintains run-of-show documents for all events
- Serves as on-site point person during events including some evenings
Best fit: Highly organized, proactive communicator with prior event planning or student org experience.
Student Engagement Associate
The Lab’s community builder — making sure students feel connected, recognized, and plugged in.
- Owns student onboarding and connects new members to the right people and projects
- Organizes community events, socials, and recognition moments
- Tracks engagement and flags participation issues to the Lab Fellow
Best fit: Genuinely people-oriented with experience in student organizations or peer leadership.
Communications Associate
With day-to-day direction from outside marketing consultant
Manages the Lab’s day-to-day content and social media presence across channels.
- Creates and publishes content across LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms
- Writes newsletters, program announcements, and promotional event content
- Captures student project stories, spotlights, and Lab milestones
Best fit: Strong writer comfortable managing social media professionally. Graphic design experience (Canva, Adobe, Figma) a plus.
Application deadline: August 14, 2026