Commercialisation Manager – Physical Sciences

West Cambridge | Salary from £60k | Hybrid 3 days in office

Do you want to play a role in commercialising the ideas of world-leading academics?

Why you will love this role:

The variety of the role is remarkable. Working in our Technology Transfer team, you will manage a variety of projects, supporting and guiding academics as they move from groundbreaking research towards real world applications and the commercialisation of their cutting-edge ideas and inventions. 

You will find the breadth of scientific diversity and the range of projects statuses (from fledgling idea through to patented and licensed technology) stimulating and engaging. And situated at the heart of Europe’s most successful innovation cluster, you will be working with cutting-edge technologies and the next great ideas, able to help these discoveries make a difference in the world.

Your day-to-day work will involve many different activities:

• Innovation Assessment: Leading on interactions with researchers to understand their groundbreaking ideas, explore commercial potential and develop robust commercialisation roadmaps to bridge the gap between academic publications and real-world applications.
• Enhance Value: Work with researchers to help them develop and implement an intellectual property strategy to enhance the value of innovations to industry.
• Research Transformation: Support researchers to convert their findings into proof-of-concept demonstrators that de-risk their ideas and create commercially attractive opportunities.
• Market Assessments: Manage and interpret market assessments to support the development of intellectual property assets and proof-of-concept demonstrators.
• Business Development: Identify potential licensees and develop effective relationships to secure technology development and licensing opportunities.
• Agreements: Read research contracts and draft a wide variety of agreements based on our templates from confidentiality agreements, to joint invention agreements and commercial licences to facilitate the commercialisation process.
• Academic Outreach and Training: Engage with researchers to promote Cambridge Enterprise through our outreach and training programs.
• Support Company Creation: Support the creation of new companies through industry and investor partnerships.

What we're looking for:

• Your background is in engineering, physics, maths, chemistry, materials or computer science and you are likely to have research experience and a PhD or equivalent.
• You have experience in a commercial environment together with skills in commercialising technology and intellectual property management including a track record in business development and contract negotiation.
• You may have some knowledge and understanding of the university sector.
• You have excellent organisation, time management and multitasking skills and can manage a portfolio of projects on an ongoing basis.
• You possess strong interpersonal, team working and communication skills and can manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders effectively.
• You demonstrate high levels of initiative, creative problem-solving skills and an ability to influence outcomes with proposed solutions.
• You can communicate complex information clearly and effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.
• You make responsible decisions on portfolio management and resource deployment and exhibit high accuracy and attention to detail in legal agreements.
   

Nice to have:

• Some knowledge and understanding of the university sector.
• You may also have knowledge of software, AI or data innovations.

Diversity and equality matter:

These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they are 100% qualified. At Cambridge Enterprise, we promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture, so please apply if you meet most of the job requirements.

If you have any questions about the interview process, or if you need any reasonable adjustments, please don’t hesitate to contact Ian, Gemma or Michelle at people@enterprise.cam.ac.uk

Perks at a glance:

• 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Class-leading Bupa private medical insurance
• Hybrid role with genuine flexible working – including work from abroad for up to 30 days a year in most roles
• Generous University pension scheme.
• A commitment to personal development including LinkedIn learning.
• Family-friendly policies (including enhanced parental leave & childcare benefits, fertility leave, and pregnancy loss leave)
• Mental health and well-being support including access to free counselling.
• Retail and travel discounts.

Why Cambridge Enterprise?

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 Manager to join our team at our vibrant West Cambridge site.

Key dates:

Closing date: 6th October
First interviews: w/c 14th October
Second interviews: w/c 21st October