Program Description
Washington Research Foundation (WRF) is seeking 2-4 Venture Analysts to assist with conducting due diligence on potential grants and investments, primarily in life sciences and enabling technologies. WRF is a private foundation based in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle that supports the development of groundbreaking technologies at nonprofit research institutions in Washington state. WRF Capital is the investment vehicle for WRF, investing in startups in Washington state, with a particular focus on spinouts from nonprofit research institutions.
Venture Analysts will perform background research on grantmaking and investment opportunities currently under consideration by WRF. Analysts will gain a greater understanding of the process of commercialization as they work for a regionally focused foundation and venture capital firm.
WRF Venture Analysts:
- Work up to 10 hours per week remotely or in the office
- Receive compensation of $35/hour
- Are appointed for up to one year based on performance and mutual agreement
Application Requirements
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.
- Applicants confirm with their school and advisor that they are eligible to work up to 10 hours a week outside of their school program
- Candidates must be enrolled in an MBA program, a graduate health degree (e.g. PharmD), a graduate program in a STEM field such as chemistry, life science, information technology or engineering, or in a postdoctoral fellowship program
- Candidates must be affiliated with a Washington state research university, such as UW, WSU, EWU, WWU or CWU. If you are at another Washington-based institution, please contact us to confirm eligibility
- Applicants must have the explicit consent of their Ph.D. supervisor, academic advisor, or PI
- All applicants must be able to remain a venture analyst for at least the full academic year (graduating in spring 2027 or beyond)
- We are seeking applicants who have some experience with entrepreneurship or entrepreneurial thinking. Examples include:
- Participation in entrepreneurship training (for example, the Entrepreneurship Certificate at the UW Foster School)
- Participation in SEBA events
- Participation in the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge or Dempsey Startup Competition
- Prior business experience
Application deadline: Part A is due by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Part B is due by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Information sessions
An information session with current Venture Analysts will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 10 a.m. (Pacific). To request the link, please send an email to ventureanalyst@wrfseattle.org.
Meet the WRF Venture Analysts
The ultimate puzzle: former WRF Senior Venture Analyst Emily Rabe featured in University of Washington Magazine. Photo by Corinne Thrash, UW College of Arts & Sciences
Selection Process
WRF has a two-part application process.
Part A: Complete application and submit resume by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Upload link will be added shortly.
- The online application will ask for the following information:
- Full name and address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Degree program, if applicable
- Name of faculty whom you report to (dissertation chair or PI for Ph․D․ students, academic advisor for professional health degree students, supervisor for postdocs)
- Faculty contact email
- Confirmation of faculty advisor: Does your faculty advisor know you are completing this application and are they supportive of your application?
- Confirmation that you are permitted to work up to 10 hours per week in the United States outside of your primary employment
- Expected quarter of degree completion
- Briefly describe your current area of research for a non-expert audience. Outside of academia, who would benefit most from this work, and what is the most significant barrier to getting there? (300 words max.)
- Tell us about any relevant experience or training related to innovation, startups or entrepreneurship. (max 250 words)
- Share your intended career path after completing your program. (200 words max.)
- Describe a time you were asked to work on something outside your area of expertise or comfort zone. How did you approach it, and what did you learn? (200 words max.)
Part B: By invitation only, write a 3-5 page report on one of 4 to 5 preselected innovations described in published papers, addressing several topics relevant to commercialization potential and pathways. Further details on this assignment will be provided with the invitation. Part B is due by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Timeline
- Applicants are encouraged to attend an online information session with current Venture Analysts on Friday, May 8 at 10 a.m. (Pacific). Please send an email to ventureanalyst@wrfseattle.org to request the Zoom link
- Part A of the application is due by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Applicants will be informed whether they are invited to submit a full application (Part B) by Friday, May 22, 2026
- Part B is due by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday, June 4, 2026
- Applicants will be informed if they are invited for an interview by Friday, June 19, 2026
- Interviews will be conducted via Zoom between Monday, June 22 and Friday, July 3, 2026
- Candidates will be notified of their final status by Friday, July 17, 2026 and asked to accept or decline any potential offer by Friday, July 31, 2026
- In-person orientation will be held in September 2026 (date and time TBD) at WRF’s offices
Contact Us
If you have further questions, please contact us at ventureanalyst@wrfseattle.org.
