Who we are

UniServices is a wholly-owned company of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, directly supporting the University’s ambition to be a global powerhouse of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

We achieve this through:

• Growing Research: We help researchers turn innovative ideas into impactful outcomes by identifying new market opportunities, building partnerships with industry and government, and securing funding opportunities to support the translation of knowledge to impact.
• Investing and Partnering: We manage the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund, a $40 million pre-seed and seed investment fund that works to transform University research into high-growth global companies.
• Commercialising and protecting ideas: We help researchers disclose and protect their ideas, start companies or license technology. We help fledgling companies refine their business plans, access start-up capital and grow.

Investment Team

The Investment Team manages the commercialisation and investment activities at UniServices to transform research and ventures from staff and students at the University into high-growth global companies. We have supported the creation of over 70 new companies and licensed over 430 patent families. Our portfolio companies have secured over $500m of investment capital and to date we have realised five exits. We have transformed the way in which commercialisation is undertaken in New Zealand through the ‘Return on Science’ and ‘Momentum’ Investment Committees.  

As champions of the University of Auckland’s intellectual property, we rigorously support and test new ideas through specialist investment committees, and accelerate the spin-out of technologies and ideas to solve the most challenging problems in the world. We actively identify ground-breaking discoveries with commercial potential and work with researchers and students to help them bring their ideas to market. We invest through our University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund (UoAIF), a $40m, open, evergreen fund and provide ongoing support to our portfolio companies through access to networks, investors, expertise and resources, as well as follow-on capital. 

• Collect market intelligence and assess new ideas
• One-year, fixed term, Auckland, hybrid
• Validate, de-risk + accelerate commercial opportunities for academics + students

The opportunity

The Investment Analyst is in an entry-level position to process, support and develop commercial ideas in the Investment Team. You will work alongside our Investment Managers to grow a portfolio of investments from University of Auckland Investment Fund (UoAIF), under the direction of the Investment Director for Life Sciences. You will work with researchers and students to start, validate, de-risk, and accelerate companies. Your key focus will be to help assess new opportunities, conduct due diligence and indirectly support new and existing University of Auckland startups with intelligence shared with the management team.

Key responsibilities:

• Assess new ideas against Market and Intellectual Property intelligence, for commercial potential.
• Work alongside investment managers to support commercialisation and entrepreneurship on campus with targeted outreach.
• Assist Investment Managers in the sourcing of investment opportunities from staff and students at the University.
• Assist in preparing investment documentation for University of Auckland Investment Fund.
• Assist in the due diligence of investment theses on initial and follow-on investment opportunities.

It is essential for you to hold:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Life Sciences), ideally with a strong Chemistry background.
• Prior experience with at least one of the following: Intellectual Property, commercialisation, early-stage investment or research and development.
• A strong work ethic and the ability to multitask effectively.
• A high-level of resilience, open to change and able to foster continuous improvement and innovation.
• Enthusiasm and a passion for learning, new technology and early-stage technology start-ups.
• Analytical and strategic mindset with an ability to synthesise, document and communicate findings.

Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered.

What we offer:

Great benefits, including 5 weeks annual leave, up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme, eye-testing & glasses subsidies, access to discounts on health insurance & gym memberships, and long-service recognition.  We provide a culturally diverse team and supportive workplace with a blended approach to office and home-based work.  We offer flexible working arrangements and are committed to your ongoing professional development.

PD Investment Analyst Jun 2025 Investment.pdf

Please submit your application by 6 July 2025.    Note we may interview prior to the close date.

Honoa te tangata ki te tangata, te tangata ki te taiao, te tangata ki te rangahau, rangahaua ki whai hua.

(Linking people to people, people to the world around us, people to research, research that brings ideas to life.)