Knowledge Exchange Manager - Life Sciences, Research and Enterprise Office (REO): University of Essex

Research and Enterprise Office (REO)

The Research and Enterprise Office (REO) is an Administrative Section within the University’s Professional Services. The Director of the REO reports to the Registrar and Secretary of the University. The REO supports the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) and the Faculty Executive Deans in the development and implementation of the University’s Research Strategy. The REO delivers services to the University’s academic community to support a range of research, impact and knowledge exchange activities and leads on a wide range of business engagement activities and facilitates the delivery of services to business as well as to the wider economic community. Its range of activities includes: Research strategy and policy; Identification of funding opportunities; Research governance and ethics - Supporting the development and submission of research grant applications; Grant and contract negotiation, Costing and pricing; Financial management of research awards; Co-ordination of the University’s REF and KEF submissions; Research impact and knowledge exchange, including the management of intellectual property, Commercialisation of research, Licences, Spin-outs and consultancy; Business Incubation facilities; Engagement with local and regional communities in the public private and third sectors; Managing key accounts with industry; Promoting the University’s research expertise and related services and managing the resulting customer relationships.

The University of Essex has an exciting opportunity to join our Enterprise Team within the Research and Enterprise Office at the Colchester campus to support our activity in this area. The successful applicant will have an understanding of the University research environment and/or commercial R&D.

Duties of the Role

The role holder will work closely with academic colleagues in the Departments of Life Science, Psychology, Health and Social care and Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences to develop business relationships that will allow impact to be achieved and external income to be leveraged. Whilst focusing on these departments, innovation projects may be interdisciplinary spanning the three faculties of the University. With a technical appreciation of life sciences generally you will develop new relationships with businesses that can benefit from innovation support in these areas and work with academic colleagues to put in place collaborative research, consultancy and contract research projects.

This is a full-time post however part-time working, four days per week will be considered.

Skills and qualifications required

The successful applicant will be educated to degree level, have an understanding of Business University relationships and knowledge of an academic research and/or commercial R&D environment. Understanding of the patent process and intellectual property transactions along with experience of business development and income generation are essential.

You will have the ability to understand the technical basis for projects in areas relevant to life sciences (e.g. biotechnology, plant science, health care related research) to draft proposals and communicate benefits to businesses; possess excellent communication and organisational skills and have the ability to co-ordinate tasks with other team members and use your initiative.

You will demonstrate the flexibility to attend meetings at company / partners sites and to work outside normal office hours if required.

At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.

To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives. For more information see: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/student-facilities/religion-and-faith

Please visit our website (http://www.essex.ac.uk/vacancies/) for a full job description, person specification and more information relating to this post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application.  Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please telephone the Resourcing Team (01206 876559).

Closing date: 11 October 2020

Interviews are planned for: 19 October 2020

Expected start date: November 2020

Salary: £41,527 - £51,034 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

Salary: 
£41,527
£51,034
Closing date: 
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Originating organisation: