The UW Tech Exploration Lab moves applied AI and emerging technology ideas from campus exploration into real-world validation. We are expanding our team of Fellows, student builders and associates, and staff for the 2026–27 academic year.
Application deadline: August 14, 2026.
To apply, complete this form.
- Graduate student positions — Leadership Fellows (open to graduate students, MBAs, and post-doctoral researchers)
- Undergraduate positions — AI/Technical Builders and Associates (open to currently enrolled UW undergraduates only)
Graduate Student Positions
These positions are open to currently enrolled graduate students, MBAs, and post-doctoral researchers.
Compensation: $25/hour | Hours: Up to 20 hrs/week | Reports to: Associate Director (except Industry & Alumni Engagement Fellow, who reports to Executive Director)
Industry Projects Fellow
The Industry Projects Fellow owns execution of the Lab’s industry Co-Lab partnerships and sponsored project engagements. The Fellow runs the industry project track end-to-end, managing partner relationships, scoping problems, coordinating student teams, and ensuring deliverables are met.
What You’ll Own
- Industry Co-Lab partnerships and sponsored industry projects from problem scoping through final deliverable
- Primary day-to-day contact for industry partners, managing timelines, communications, and expectations
- Execution of the Digital Health Challenge and other industry-sponsored engagements
- Project documentation, partner-facing materials, and progress reporting
Who We’re Looking For
- MBA student or graduate student with strong project management discipline and professional communication skills
- Professionally credible in industry settings — comfortable representing the Lab with corporate partners
- Organized and systematic with strong follow-through
- Interest in corporate innovation, technology partnerships, or entrepreneurship
Research Translation Fellow
The Research Translation Fellow owns the Lab’s research-to-market pipeline — engaging with UW faculty and researchers, identifying commercial and applied potential in their work, and moving promising opportunities into student-executable projects or venture pathways.
What You’ll Own
- The Lab’s pipeline of research translation opportunities, from initial faculty conversations through student team engagement
- Commercialization briefs, market framing documents, and project summaries that make research outputs accessible to students and industry partners
- Relationships across UW research centers, labs, and academic units
- Prioritization of which opportunities enter the active project pipeline
Who We’re Looking For
- Post-doctoral researcher with genuine interest in technology commercialization or tech transfer
- Comfortable engaging with faculty on their terms and translating that work for a business or investor audience
- Technically literate across domains — broad curiosity and range over deep specialization in one area
- Strong project manager with consistent availability for sustained relationship-building
Student Venture Pathway Fellow
The Student Venture Pathway Fellow owns the operational rhythm of the Lab’s student innovation and venture pathway, the structured progression from Self-Directed Innovation through Discovery, Build, and Founder Lab. The Fellow owns the systems and logistics that keep the pathway running: milestone tracking, team check-ins, BuildFest coordination, and making sure students know where they are and what comes next.
What You’ll Own
- Operational rhythm of the student venture pathway — milestone checkpoints, team progression tracking, and pathway documentation
- Logistics for Build Nights, BuildFest, Founder Lab sessions, and other student-facing programming
- Team check-ins and flagging teams that need additional coaching or support
- Student onboarding into the pathway and internal communications
Who We’re Looking For
- MBA student or graduate student with genuine interest in entrepreneurship or innovation programming
- Strong project manager — you build systems, track milestones, and don’t let things slip
- Comfortable working with peers in a coaching-adjacent capacity
- Entrepreneurial instincts are a plus
Industry & Alumni Engagement Fellow
Reports to: Executive Director
The Industry & Alumni Engagement Fellow owns the Lab’s partner outreach, alumni relationship management, and external engagement pipeline — working directly with the Executive Director to grow and maintain the network that sustains the Lab’s industry and community connections.
What You’ll Own
- The Lab’s CRM and partner/alumni contact database
- Outreach to prospective industry partners and alumni — drafting communications, scheduling meetings, and tracking follow-up
- Briefing materials and talking points for Executive Director meetings with external stakeholders
- Coordination of partner and alumni engagement events and stewardship touchpoints
Who We’re Looking For
- MBA student or graduate student with strong professional presence and genuine interest in partnerships or alumni relations
- Excellent written communicator — comfortable drafting outreach and professional correspondence
- Detail-oriented relationship manager who doesn’t let things fall through the cracks
- Organized and consistent — relationship pipelines require steady follow-through
Undergraduate Positions
These positions are open to currently enrolled UW undergraduates only.
Compensation: $15/hour | Hours: 10–15 hrs/week
AI/Technical Builder
Reports to: Associate Director
Technical Builders are the hands-on core of the Lab’s project and experimentation work. Each Builder is embedded in one or more active projects — building prototypes, running experiments with frontier technologies, and contributing to campus and industry-driven challenges. This is not a passive learning role. Builders are expected to ship, test, and iterate. The Lab works across AI, blockchain, extended reality, and emerging platforms.
What You’ll Do
- Work on active Lab projects — building, prototyping, and experimenting with frontier technologies
- Contribute to campus-driven and industry-sponsored technical challenges
- Participate in Build Nights and collaborative work sessions
- Document your work and share findings with the broader Lab community
Who We’re Looking For
- Undergraduate in CS, data science, engineering, information science, or a related field — or demonstrated technical ability from a non-traditional background
- Experience with at least one programming language or technical platform; genuine interest in AI, blockchain, XR, or adjacent areas
- Builder’s mindset: you finish things, you learn from what breaks, and you want to make something real
- Sophomore standing or above preferred; exceptional first-years considered
Events & Operations Associate
Reports to: Associate Director
The Events & Operations Associate owns the logistics behind every Lab event — from weekly Build Nights to BuildFest and partner showcases. This person makes sure spaces are booked, equipment is ready, catering is ordered, and the run-of-show is tight.
What You’ll Do
- Book and manage space reservations for all Lab events across the semester
- Coordinate event logistics: catering, AV setup, materials, signage, and room configuration
- Build and maintain run-of-show documents for all events
- Serve as the on-site point person during events — setup, execution, and breakdown
Who We’re Looking For
- Highly organized and detail-oriented — logistics failures bother you personally
- Proactive communicator who confirms details in advance and follows up without being asked
- Prior experience with event planning, student org leadership, or venue coordination a plus
- Able to be physically present for events including some evenings
Student Engagement Associate
Reports to: Associate Director
The Student Engagement Associate is the Lab’s community builder — the person who makes sure students feel connected, recognized, and plugged in. This role owns the internal student experience: onboarding new members, organizing community events, running recognition moments, and making sure students feel like they belong to something worth showing up for.
What You’ll Do
- Own student onboarding — welcoming new members and connecting them to the right people and projects
- Organize internal community events: socials, celebrations, and informal gatherings
- Run recognition programs that highlight student work and contributions
- Track engagement and flag to the Associate Director when participation is slipping
Who We’re Looking For
- Genuinely people-oriented — you notice when someone is disengaged and you do something about it
- Strong communicator with a warm, inclusive presence
- Experience with student organizations, community building, or peer leadership
- Genuinely excited about technology and innovation
Communications Associate
Reports to: Executive Director, with day-to-day direction from outside marketing consultant
The Communications Associate manages the Lab’s day-to-day content and social media presence — keeping the Lab visible, consistent, and compelling across channels. This person works within a communications strategy set by an outside marketing consultant and executes with creativity and reliability.
What You’ll Do
- Create and publish content across the Lab’s social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, and others)
- Write and distribute internal communications including newsletters and program announcements
- Produce promotional content for Lab events — Build Nights, BuildFest, Co-Labs, and partner showcases
- Capture and document student project stories, spotlights, and Lab milestones
Who We’re Looking For
- Strong writer with an instinct for clear, engaging communication
- Comfortable managing social media platforms professionally
- Interested in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship as subject matter
- Some experience with graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe, Figma) a plus
Apply here. Deadline: August 14, 2026.