Job description
The Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES) is a vibrant faculty based in the heart of London with a long tradition of world-leading research and teaching in physics, mathematics, chemistry, informatics and engineering.
This role is an exciting opportunity to drive-forward business-led collaborations, knowledge exchange and commercialisation opportunities, to increase the impact of NMES research and teaching.
The position is part of the Enterprise & Engagement (E&E) team, which is responsible for enabling collaborations between our academic community and external stakeholders both in the UK and internationally, raising the profile of the faculty’s internationally renowned scientists, and delivering outreach activities to build STEM awareness and excitement amongst young learners.
This post will be offered on an a fixed term contract for 2 years.
This is a full-time post.
Key responsibilities
- To lead and develop faculty enterprise (business collaboration and commercialisation) activity, proactively identifying new collaboration, funding and networking opportunities.
- Support the Head of Enterprise & Engagement and the Vice Dean Enterprise & Engagement to develop and deliver the faculty’s E&E strategy to increase the impact of NMES research and teaching.
- Use your understanding of knowledge exchange activities, funding mechanisms, and the research capabilities across the faculty, to enable collaborations between academics and industry. Support the scoping out of projects, develop clear processes, solve practical problems, connect the right people, and drive forward projects to deliver mutually beneficial, impactful, results.
- Progress the commercialisation of academic know-how by working collaboratively with the IP & Licensing Team to develop and deliver appropriate commercialisation strategies for a range of opportunities.
- Develop an understanding of the UK and London’s innovation landscape, key stakeholders and business environment in relevant policy and funding. Provide briefings for senior management and academic colleagues attending relevant meetings and events.
- Nurture a relationship with London’s business networks to develop our regional enterprise engagement activities with local business looking to innovate.
- Working with King’s Entrepreneurship Institute and the Department of Engineering’s Entrepreneur in Residence, develop a plan to raise awareness of, and increased engagement in, entrepreneurship for our undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Promote and embed an effective culture of enterprise by providing advice and training to academics across the faculty through 1:1 support, a monthly webinar programme, and in-depth cohort training programmes.
- Design and deliver cross-faculty industry engagement events, and support departmental industry engagement events, to grow and develop academic networks and opportunities for collaboration.
- Represent the E&E team at departmental E&E Committees to provide insight and advice on issues and opportunities related to knowledge exchange and commercialisation.
- Build good working relationships with professional services colleagues across the faculty and College, including Research Services, IP & Licensing, Industry Partnerships and Contracts, to share know-how and ensure new collaborations are progressed in a timely manner.
- Deputise for the Head of Enterprise & Engagement and Vice-Dean Enterprise & Engagement as required.
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Skills, knowledge, and experience
Essential criteria
1. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
2. Able and willing to identify opportunities, take the initiative and pursue an idea from inception to implementation.
3. Extensive experience of relationship management and developing links with industry and other partners
4. Excellent written and verbal communication and networking skills.
5. Knowledge of the innovation funding environment
6. Able to think strategically and to contribute to strategic direction
7. Self-motivated and able to manage several projects simultaneously
8. Experience of process development and improvements to ensure best practice.
9. Able to work effectively, prioritise workloads and meet tight deadlines under pressure, whilst providing a professional and supportive service.
10. Capable of developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with people at all levels within diverse organisations.
Desirable criteria
1. Relevant postgraduate qualification in a discipline relevant to the faculty.
2. Direct experience of the KTP scheme or other Innovate UK funding streams
3. Knowledge of science and technology industry sectors relevant to the faculty
4. Developing training courses for an academic audience.