Research & Materials Innovation Fellow (Volunteer)

Research & Materials Innovation Fellow (Volunteer)

PromiseBrands | Materials Innovation, Sustainable Design & Product Development Research

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseBrands

Location: Remote / Hybrid (NYC Collaboration as Needed)

Type: Volunteer Research & Innovation Role

Reports To: Strategic Innovation Leadership / CEO

Works Closely With: Research Partners, Materials Scientists, Industrial Designers, Sustainability Collaborators, Technical Advisors, Product Development Teams, and Cross-Functional Innovation Teams

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit committed to innovation, public impact, and systems-level problem solving. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, MAP supports initiatives that bridge sustainability, design, education, technology, research, and social impact.

We believe innovation should not exist in isolation—it should improve systems, strengthen communities, and help build a more responsible future.

About PromiseBrands | Innovation, Design & Product Systems

PromiseBrands is MAP’s division focused on design innovation, brand systems, creative product development, ethical manufacturing exploration, and future-facing ideas that connect creativity with practical impact.

The division explores opportunities involving:

• Product innovation
• Sustainable materials
• Design systems
• Creative manufacturing concepts
• Brand and product ecosystems
• Research-informed development
• Ethical and environmentally responsible innovation

PromiseBrands supports ideas that move beyond concept and toward thoughtful, mission-aligned creation.

Role Overview

Mentor A Promise is seeking a Research & Materials Innovation Fellow to support an emerging initiative focused on PFAS-free materials and next-generation protective equipment innovation.

This role combines:

• Technical research
• Sustainability exploration
• Strategic writing
• Partnership development
• Design-informed systems thinking
• Commercialization-aware collaboration strategy

The Fellow will help strengthen the initiative’s foundation through technical literature synthesis, white paper development, research partnership exploration, and strategic communication.

This role supports innovation efforts seeking safer and more sustainable material alternatives while helping position MAP as a thoughtful and mission-aligned collaborator within innovation ecosystems.

This is a research, sustainability, and product innovation role focused on future-facing material systems and responsible development.

Core Responsibilities

Technical Literature & Research Development

• Conduct and synthesize technical literature reviews and white paper research related to PFAS-free materials, protective textiles, and emerging material alternatives
• Analyze scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, and market developments related to PFAS replacement technologies
• Translate technical findings into accessible and professionally organized materials
• Support research synthesis and strategic knowledge development

White Paper & Strategic Writing

• Support drafting and refinement of technical literature reviews, briefing papers, and innovation white papers
• Help articulate the broader challenge, opportunity, and innovation pathway
• Contribute to materials that strengthen external credibility and research vision
• Support scientific and partnership-facing communication materials

Research Partnership Development

• Identify and research universities, laboratories, startups, manufacturers, and innovators developing PFAS-free technologies
• Assist with partner mapping and outreach strategy development
• Support collaboration materials and partnership engagement documents
• Help cultivate thoughtful and mission-aligned innovation relationships

Innovation & Commercialization Collaboration

• Help shape partnership positioning involving commercialization-sensitive and emerging technologies
• Support development of collaboration language that communicates shared value and ethical partnership potential
• Assist in positioning MAP as a credible and mission-aligned innovation collaborator
• Support professional partnership readiness and engagement strategy

Concept Development & Design Research

• Support review and organization of inherited concept drawings, design assets, and innovation materials
• Help catalog and contextualize technical and visual development resources
• Collaborate with creative and technical teams to align research with design and systems thinking

Strategic Vision & Opportunity Framing

• Help clarify and communicate long-term research goals and innovation pathways
• Support development of professional materials that strengthen partnership readiness
• Contribute to strategic conversations involving sustainability, materials innovation, and future applications

Qualifications

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds. Strong candidates may have experience or interest in:

• Materials science
• Environmental science
• Engineering
• Industrial or product design
• Sustainability research
• Technical or scientific writing
• Innovation strategy
• Policy or regulatory research
• Commercialization ecosystems
• Academic or applied research environments

Preferred Skills

• Strong research and analytical writing abilities
• Experience reviewing or interpreting scientific or technical literature
• Ability to organize complex information clearly and professionally
• Curiosity about sustainable materials and systems innovation
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Comfort working in interdisciplinary and early-stage environments
• Ability to work independently and contribute strategically

Commitment

Volunteer role

Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Minimum 6-month commitment required

Remote / hybrid collaboration with optional NYC engagement

What You’ll Gain

• Experience contributing to an emerging materials innovation and sustainable product initiative
• Exposure to research strategy, partnership development, and technical communication
• Opportunity to help shape a mission-driven innovation effort with real-world application potential
• Portfolio-building experience in research, white paper development, and innovation ecosystems
• Meaningful collaboration across sustainability, design, research, and innovation spaces
• Professional references and letters of recommendation

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Brief statement of interest outlining relevant experience and interest in research, sustainability, or materials innovation

Help shape ideas that protect people and strengthen the future.

Building research, partnerships, and innovation pathways where sustainability, design, and responsible innovation grow together.

This role holds the pieces together.

From research to outreach to execution—help ensure every story is fully built before it’s told.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.