Commercialisation Associate – Fixed Term

A Ph.D. in a scientific or technical discipline relevant to the Physical Sciences or engineering sector and/or research experience

A genuine interest in technology commercialisation, intellectual property or innovation

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and draw practical conclusions

Excellent organisation and time management skills

Confidence managing multiple priorities and deadlines

Strong written and verbal communication skills

The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

A proactive approach and willingness to take ownership of tasks

Good attention to detail and record-keeping skills

Strong Microsoft 365 skills and confidence learning new systems

Role Purpose
To support researchers at the University of Cambridge develop their ideas, technologies and inventions into opportunities that are attractive to industry and investors. Commercialisation Associates will work with, and support Case Leads in a matrix structure to identify and commercialise intellectual property of commercial value originating from research carried out at the University of Cambridge (University) in line with Cambridge Enterprise’s (CE) vision, mission, values and technology transfer core principles.
Note that the Physical Science Directors (or their nominees) will designate the cases that the Commercialisation Associate will support, and the Case Lead for these cases (where the Case Lead will be one of the following roles: Director, Associate Director, Senior Manager or Manager).

Main Responsibilities:
Case Support using a full life cycle approach, encompassing all aspects of evaluation and commercialisation of specific technologies, and working throughout with Case Leads to carry out and have responsibility for the following:
Stakeholder Diligence:
•Reading and understanding legal agreements to enable IP due diligence (including, but not limited to, IP ownership, third party rights and funder obligations) and identify stakeholders such as the University, partners, inventors, joint owners and define stakeholder obligations.
Evaluation of New Opportunities:
•Perform prior art searches and evaluate potential applications and markets for new IP.
•Analyse, interpret and assess data to produce succinct summaries with academic inventors and Case Leads and to present summaries in team meetings.
Patent Management:
•Liaise with the inventors, patent agents and Business Support Team to handle aspects of patent management, including:
o Working with patent agents to achieve appropriate protection,
o Filing and prosecution of applications within agreed timescales; and
o Coordinating inventor responses to search reports.
Communications and Records:
• Liaise with the Business Support Team, inventors, patent agents and other stakeholders as required to:
o Handle day to day communications on cases, including emails, scheduling meetings (together with PA’s if required), follow up actions etc.
o Gather and disseminate information to and from inventors, external advisors, collaborators and licensees to ensure effective communication on case activity.
o Contribute to the maintenance of accurate and complete records of office activity for audit, reporting and legal purposes to ensure best practice particularly (i) diligent updating of CE’s electronic record systems and (ii) drafting complete, accurate and comprehensible case reports for stakeholders (e.g. funders) as required.
Development and Translational Funding:
• Work with academics to guide technology development and to secure suitable developmental resources to add value to the technology (including providing advice on IP issues, competitors, relevant markets and commercialisation strategies in grant and other funding applications).
• Maintain awareness of translational and other grant funding opportunities to assist in securing suitable developmental resources to add value to inventions.
Developing and Supporting Commercial Relationships:
• Work with academics, Case Leads and Business Development colleagues (as appropriate) to find and engage companies for commercialisation of the technology, including:
o Market evaluation: size, dynamics, segmentation
o Responsibility for the production of marketing materials
o Identification of suitable marketing channels and potential commercial partners
o Initiation of contacts with potential commercial partners
• Post deal activities as requested by Case Leads.
Legal Agreements:
• With support, draft, negotiate and conclude straightforward agreements (which may include confidentiality agreements, internal assignments / internal licences and research evaluation agreements) ensuring that the University and CE are not exposed to undue risk, taking advice from Case Leads, senior colleagues in the team and CE lawyers as appropriate.
• Support Case Leads in the negotiation of commercial licences.
Case Continuity:
• Cover the progression of cases (with the help of other team members) when Case Leads are absent.
Other Activities:
Outreach Related Activities:
• Contribute to the marketing and promotion of technology transfer, CE’s services and the value of University technology, both within the University and externally.
• Educate University staff and students on intellectual property, commercialisation and working with CE.
• Attend marketing activities organised and/or supported by CE to promote our services and capabilities.
Continued Personal Development:
• Develop skills and maintain awareness of scientific, technical, commercial and legal developments impacting on the function of technology transfer by reading reviews, attending internal and external group meetings/seminars/conferences/ training courses and sharing best practice with others internally and externally.
• Work with other CE teams where appropriate, to increase knowledge and understanding of different commercialisation channels.
Undertake any other activities as may reasonably be requested.

Essential skills and attributes:
• Degree level qualification in a scientific or technical subject relevant to the role’s remit
• Can demonstrate interest in technology transfer, marketing of technologies, contract negotiation and/or intellectual property
• Excellent organisation and time management with ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with ability to relate well to and engage with individuals of varying seniority
• Ability to think analytically
• Can demonstrate interest in and some understanding of commercial issues
Ambition/ Effectiveness:
• Prioritises own workload and achieves targets/deadlines to complete work items and projects
• Shows confidence and takes ownership of outcomes
• Uses initiative to resolve problems and queries in the role
• Contributes to ideas for effective case progression
Customer Focus:
• Displays understanding of internal and external customers/stakeholders and how to add value
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with customers and responds effectively to requests for information from internal and external customers
• Communicates with each stakeholder as an individual
Team Working/ Flexibility:
• Positively and enthusiastically engages with team activities and works within and across teams
• Responds in a positive and professional way to new and changing requirements

Role Specific skills and attributes:
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
• Ability to choose suitable methods and databases to use for prior art searching and market analysis
Experience and ability to implement technology marketing strategies
• Identifies the need for confidentiality in discussions with third parties and implements appropriately
• Some ability to interpret legal terms and conditions.
Communication:
• Proven ability to understand, communicate and present information
• Timely and effective communication with stakeholders about next steps and actions
• Communicates workload priorities to relevant Case Leads clearly and effectively
Organisational Skills:
• Flexibility, accuracy and attention to detail
• Effective time management and prioritization of workload tasks, communicating efficiently with all relevant team members
• Demonstrable ability to manage multiple projects at one time
IT:
•Strong and demonstrable use of Microsoft Office e.g. 365
• Use of CRM system

Preferred skills and attributes:
• Experience in a commercial environment, preferably in a technical sales, business development or marketing role
• Knowledge of the patenting process, licensing or other aspects of technology transfer
• Experience of contract negotiation and/or management
• Experience of research, probably evidenced by a PhD

We are at the heart of Europe’s most successful research and technology cluster and we’re on a mission to bring innovation to life, making a difference to society, the UK economy, and the University of Cambridge. We connect the innovative minds of the University’s academics with the funding, start-up expertise and commercial relationships they need to help their ideas thrive.

Our success stories include an electric vehicle charging technology that’s as convenient as filling up with petrol, a programme to prevent ideological extremism, and the world’s first treatment for a rare cause of blindness. Now, we need a Commercialisation Associate to join our team at our vibrant West Cambridge site.