Technology Scout Intern – Part-time

About the role

The Technology Scout Intern works directly with the CEO and the team to identify, evaluate, and rank external technologies for Debut Biotech’s beauty ingredient programs. This part‑time, remote role is designed for a current PhD student who wants to see how scientific judgment drives commercial decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Run fast technical diligence on broad concepts and deliver recommendations within days.
• Read patents and published applications, identify independent claims, and assess claim scope.
• Separate defensible scientific claims from unsupported ones and state conclusions clearly.
• Write concise one‑page briefs covering novelty, protection, and recommendation.
• Maintain a tracker of technologies, companies, and IP across assigned areas.
• Monitor competitor publications, patent filings, and funding activity.
• Prepare technical background for external meetings.
• Brief the CEO directly and defend conclusions when challenged.

Required profile

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in biochemistry, biology, or molecular biology (skin biology preferred).
• Able to hold technical conversations with academic and industry leaders about technology readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to read patent literature and extract major claims.
• Strong command of primary scientific literature and ability to judge experimental support.
• Genuine interest in the commercial side of science and market dynamics.
• Self‑directed and comfortable making decisions with incomplete information.

Required skills

• Patent literature analysis
• Scientific literature review
• Technology diligence and assessment
• Intellectual property tracking