LongX's Xplore Program | Becoming a Xplore Fellow
Answering the 5Ws: What, Who, Where, When, Why
The Aging and Longevity industry (or whatever variation you choose to call it) is finally getting traction and entering the spotlight!
As the field expands there is an essential need to organize and prepare expertise and talent to systematically tackle aging. There’s so much more to advancing science beyond the heroes toiling in laboratories.
Here at LongX (Longevity Xplorer), our community was founded by undergraduates and those entering their early careers with the hope of fixing issues we personally have faced while breaking into the industry.
We pride ourselves in enabling those interested in the field to truly ‘Xplore’ aging and longevity. In that spirit, we expanded and have built a no-frills Fellowship experience that benefits those just entering the field, with the support of our beloved industry partners looking to help people grow.
Table of Contents:
What
Career Opportunity Areas & Role Descriptions
Business Development
STEM
Creativity and Communication
Who
Where
When
Why
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The Xplore Program
What:
The Xplore Program was built to comprehensively prepare fellows for work in biotech, and biotech-adjacent roles in Aging and Longevity.
We help our fellows catch up by learning the basics through our primer course and incubate their ideas and skills to be leveraged in the industry. Post curriculum, we match our Fellows with a Career Development Experience, via placements with our industry partners, to present a real working experience to break into the industry and contribute meaningfully.
The program is broken down into 3 main components:
01 | Xplore
Xplore [explore] Longevity as a part of your cohort of fellows through a month-long course. The course acts as a comprehensive primer, covering topics such as basic aging biology, drug development, the longevity sector, and so much more. Xplorers will have the opportunity to leverage the guidance of current students and instructors involved in longevity while enjoying a selection of fireside chats and workshops from industry professionals.
Apply for the Xplore Program's 2024 cohort by May 17, 2024.
02 | Incubate
Xploration comes with action. Exchange ideas with fellow Xplorers to create projects, ideas, and increase youth representation in the field. Engage in collaborative projects and understand the nuances within longevity while innovating with your cohort and the LongX team.
Have a great idea? Let us help you with your next project and provide tools and guidance to succeed!
03 | Translate
Successful candidates get to take their newfound knowledge and engage in a Career Development Experience (CDE) through a 2 - 4 month placement with our select industry partners. Xplorers will engage in a variety of skills, validate their learnings, and hone their expertise with opportunities in key Career Opportunity Areas.
Career Development Experiences will take place for successful candidates.
Career Opportunity Areas:
We have crafted our CDEs alongside our industry partners to target 3 key areas:
1. Business Development
We are looking for students interested in exploring the inner workings of biotech startups. With mentorship from one of our industry partners, students will learn the full scope of business operations from intellectual property to marketing to product development. This is a perfect opportunity for students interested in being part of a core business team or who intend to lead startups/ventures of their own.
Role Description:
Student role exploring inner workings of biotech. Fellows will receive mentorship, and work with an industry partner to learn the full scope of business operations. Requires a strong interest in being a part of a core business team, or those looking to explore start-ups and ventures of their own.
Intellectual property
Marketing
Product development
Operations
2. STEM
In the quest for enabling people to live healthier for longer, longevity biotech companies are at the forefront of research and development. Whether their efforts center on small molecules or health apps, science and technology remain the cornerstones of the field.
To accelerate progress, as part of the Xplore Program you can contribute to a range of tasks, from drug screening to publishing depending on the partner company you work alongside.
Role Description:
Student role exploring innovation and research in longevity biotech. Fellows will receive mentorship and work with an industry partner at the forefront of research and development. Opportunities vary according to personal interest and range from small molecules to health applications. Requires a detail-oriented individual with a strong interest in science and technology.
Molecular Biology
Bioinformatics
Drug Screening
Data Analysis
Publications
Technology Innovation
3. Communication & Creativity
Biotech companies put science at the forefront but may not always have the talent to communicate it. Attracting investors and sponsors is vital for startups and where students with an interest in story building, branding, and science communication can make an impact. Students with an interest in graphic design, video production, or social media marketing have the opportunity to help craft the public image of one of our partnered companies.
Role Description:
Student role exploring scientific communication within biotech. Fellows will receive mentorship and work with an industry partner to oversee projects that inform key stakeholders via a variety of media forms. Fellows will receive guidance on communication within biotech and projects will vary depending on role. Requires a creative background, strong communication ability, and an eye for design and storytelling with science.
Branding
Science Communication
Social Media Marketing
Ethics
Who:
Who should apply?
Those interested in changing the long-term trajectory of human health, and getting involved in the aging and longevity industry. If any of our CDEs appeal or match your skillset we recommend you apply.
Demographic: Students (High-School, Post-Secondary), Professionals, and anyone interested in Longevity
Age: ~16-21 (Exceptions can be made, feel free to apply if you fall outside)
Experience: No prior experience needed! A basic understanding of biology is helpful.
Those selected will participate as a part of a cohort of fellows.
Where:
Anywhere across the globe 🌎! No location restrictions for applicants.
However, most synchronous programming will be organized with European and North American timezones in mind.
When:
Applications close May 17th 2024!
01 | Xplore: June to July (1 month)
~10 hours a week
02 | Incubate: Mid-June to July and beyond
~2 hours a week
03 | Translate: Late July (2-4 months)
~10-20 hours a week (Varies based on placement)
Why:
Because it’s your turn to make an impact. More importantly, you WANT to.
Share the Program
If you know someone who would benefit from the Xplore Program, or if you know someone who knows someone, we would love your support by sharing this blog or our website with them. www.longevityxplorer.com or www.longx.bio
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