Incubation Officer Intern – Food Innovation Hub

About the role

The Center for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) at the University of Malawi is looking for two motivated Incubation Officer Interns to support the Food Innovation and Technology Hub (FIT‑Hub). The role involves nurturing entrepreneurs, facilitating research, and driving innovation in Malawi’s agri‑food sector over a one‑year renewable contract.

Key responsibilities

• Assist entrepreneurs in refining ideas and developing business plans.
• Support research and development for new food products and technologies.
• Conduct laboratory experiments, collect data, and perform market research.
• Aid in prototyping, testing, and scaling food innovations.
• Help organise workshops, demo sessions, and networking events.
• Support intellectual property protection and commercialisation strategies.
• Maintain databases of incubatees and stakeholders.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the FIT‑Hub team.

Required profile

• Passion for food and technology with an innovative mindset.
• Knowledge of intellectual property, patents, and commercialisation.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related science, technical discipline, business innovation, or intellectual property law.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proactive, organised, and a team player with excellent communication abilities.
• Practical knowledge of food processing technologies and market trends in Malawi.

Required skills

• Intellectual property (IP) knowledge
• Patents knowledge
• Food processing technologies

What we offer

• 1‑year contract (renewable) with a 3‑month probation period.
• Attractive monthly remuneration package.
• Professional skill‑advancement trainings.