MIT job overture disclosed by Patrick

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

Gov. Deval Patrick has disclosed in an Ethics Commission filing that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology wants to discuss a visiting scholar position with him.

“As the Governor has said many times, he is exploring his options for life after his time in the corner office,” Patrick spokeswoman Jesse Mermell said.

The potential position, which would start after Patrick leaves office, is within the MIT Innovation Initiative. On its website, the Innovation Initiative describes itself as “an Institute-wide, multi-year agenda to transform the Institute’s innovation ecosystem – internally, around the globe, and with its partners – for accelerated impact well into the 21st century.”

Patrick in his final months in office has emphasized themes of education, infrastructure, and innovation as among his top priorities.

Patrick said in the Ethics Commission filing that he has “no official affiliation with MIT.”

“The actions of my administration broadly impact institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, including MIT,” Patrick wrote. “There is, however, no particular action or decision before me involving MIT.”

While he intends to remain involved in public life and politics, the governor has said repeatedly that he plans to return to the private sector after he leaves office, in part to earn more money.