Job Description

Position Title:

Contract Associate (Entrepreneur in Residence)

Appointment Type:

Contract

of Duties and Responsibilities:

The ISU Startup Factory Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) will serve as a member of the startup incubator teaching team and will work collaboratively with the director and program manager of the ISU Startup Factory within the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Startup Factory participants are typically very early, often idea-stage companies. The individual in this role will provide general guidance to incubator participants, ensuring that the overall curriculum is meeting their needs. The EIR will assist the Startup Factory team in facilitating and delivering content and will work one-on-one with assigned participants to guide them through the program. Additionally, the EIR will facilitate industry and professional connections for the cohort members on behalf of the program as needed.

EIR expertise and guidance will focus on:

• Overall business model and business strategy development
• Customer Discovery
• Intellectual property
• Funding sources and investor readiness
• Pitch and presentation preparation
• Team development
• Industry expertise and connections
• Professional service provider and network introductions

Expectations of EIR:

• Attend Monday (12:30-1:30) teaching team sessions plus Tuesday (10-12) and Thursday (9-10) cohort sessions during the Startup Factory cohort program period (two cohorts per year, early August-December, and early January-mid-May). Most sessions are held virtually, with some in-person sessions expected.
• May be asked to create, design, and facilitate new or existing program sessions, as determined by team planning and cohort needs.
• Independently and directly mentor 2-3 cohort founders/teams outside of scheduled class sessions.
• Contribute, on average, 8 hours per week by attending sessions and mentoring cohort members, with hours not to exceed 416 during the course of the contract year.
• Be compensated at an agreed-upon hourly rate for hours recorded.
• Flexibility to work as available, during active program periods, or as requested by the Startup Factory director and program manager. The estimated time commitment is flexible but targeted at 8 hours per week.

Required Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree or demonstrable startup experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity or prior engagement with the central Midwest startup ecosystem
• Experience as a founder or CEO of a startup company
• Have raised capital for a startup or facilitated that process for/with a startup
• Have advised or supported startups in a professional capacity
• Served as a technical founder/co-founder or member of a startup or entrepreneurial venture
• Worked as an industry partner with startup companies
• Demonstrated experience using and evaluating AI and business development software programs

Department/Program & College Description:

The ISU Startup Factory is a startup incubator helping researchers and inventors develop a roadmap to realize the societal and economic impact of their high-tech innovations. Our goal is to help innovators and founders move from “tech-speak” to “business-speak.”

Department Unit/Website:
https://www.isupjcenter.org/programs/isu-startup-factory/

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Proposed Start Date:

July 1, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Part time

Pay Grade:

Contract

Original Posting Date:

May 29, 2026

Posting Close Date:

June 18, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19290

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.