We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.
Salary: £42,149.00 - £44,706.00, £50,296 per annum
Closing Date: 12 December 2021
The role
Newcastle University has an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual with a passion for developing research, discoveries and technologies towards positive healthcare and economic impact. From licensing University intellectual property and establishing spin-out companies to cultivating partnerships and collaborations between our researchers and businesses, you will undertake a wide variety of enterprise related activities. As one of the leading research universities in the UK our track record in turning research discoveries to make an impact in society is substantial, encompassed by our collaborative approach to working with external partners, including the likes of Siemens, P&G, Cancer Research UK and Astex Pharmaceuticals to name but a few.
The Enterprise Team works with researchers to translate their work into societal and economic impact by identifying, managing and progressing opportunities through collaboration with business partners and commercialisation. We require a professional who can combine a good understanding of science and technology with commercial acumen to gain insight into an opportunity’s potential and identify the best route to market, as well as, able to engage and build productive relationships with business partners in collaborative and commercial research settings. As an integral member of the Faculty of Medical Sciences’ Enterprise Team, you will be a confident self-starter, who takes on responsibility for delivery of opportunities.
The scope of activity and responsibility is broad and will include, assessment and evaluation of inventions, intellectual property management, negotiating license and contract research agreements, and establishing collaborative partnerships with industry and other external partners. You will have some experience of development and commercialisation of early stage technologies and a good understanding of knowledge exchange activities in research intensive organisations.
For informal enquiries please contact Geraint Lewis on GERAINT.LEWIS@NEWCASTLE.AC.UK
Interviews will be held on the 17th December
Key Accountabilities
Work closely with faculty researchers to bring forward invention disclosures arising from their research activities, and carry out initial commercial and intellectual property assessment of inventions including use of online patent and market research databases.
Develop commercial and marketing strategies for optimal development and exploitation of new technologies. Market inventions to industry via company visits, direct calls, email-shots, online technology licensing platforms etc
Manage patent filing and prosecution, act as a liaison between Newcastle researchers, and external patent attorneys, working closely with the Intellectual Property & Royalties Officer.
Lead on identifying new spin-out opportunities arising and work with the Company Creation team, to establish new companies.
Responsible for the negotiation of agreements related to evaluations, options, IP licenses, CDAs, and commercial research and work with Legal Services to draft and execute said agreements
Build and support new collaborations between researchers and industry partners helping to identify and action partnership opportunities.
Organise and run showcasing and workshop events with industry partners, potential licensees and investors.
Support bids for external and internal funding to progress technology readiness levels of opportunities.
Responsible for the management of opportunities, including coordinating the decision making and risk assessment strategies on the portfolio.
Engage and build relationships with faculty researchers, developing a detailed knowledge of their research capabilities and activities.
Disseminate good practice into the faculty raising awareness of the value of intellectual property, commercialisation and industry collaborations.
Build and maintain relationships with industry partners, investors and prospective licensees, developing a detailed knowledge of their needs and drivers.
Work closely with other members of the Enterprise team and management, Legal Services, Research Office and other functions as required.
The Person (Essential)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Experience of some specialist business areas including technology commercialisation and licensing, product development or business case preparation and evaluation in the life science and healthcare sectors.
Commercial acumen with a strategic and analytical mindset to identify and assess early stage innovations with commercial potential and identify routes to market.
Strong delivery focus to develop opportunities from ideas to signed deals.
Knowledge of intellectual property protection, particularly patents.
Proven ability to handle multiple projects and manage priorities so as to meet tight deadlines.
Capacity to learn diverse technical subjects areas quickly and converse with domain experts on such matters.
Strong communication, influencing and networking skills.
Ability to build, develop and maintain excellent working relationships, both internally and externally, including with senior academics and business partners/clients.
Have an entrepreneurial and flexible approach, able to adapt, improvise and work independently.
Attributes and Behaviour
Thinking Strategically
Able to identify industry needs and trends, and opportunities for knowledge exchange.
Understands and makes sense of complex or conflicting data and different perspectives of stakeholders.
Communicating
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in academic and business contexts with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and produce and present information effectively, in a concise and clear manner
Team working
Building and maintaining a strong network of colleagues and contacts to achieve delivery of objectives.
Willing to help others and share workloads.
Planning and Organising
Effective at organising and managing heavy and complex workload
Sets own priorities in conjunction with team and project objectives
Qualifications
Degree (or equivalent in-depth knowledge in a relevant life science subject) plus commercial or technical experience.
Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.
The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
We understand how important the full employment package is to our colleagues at Newcastle University and we are committed to providing a great range of benefits and discounts for all. You can learn more about what is available here on our Benefits Website page.
Requisition ID: 14322