Research and Business Development Manager

Expires

16th October 2017

The Purpose of the Role

This post will make an important contribution to the successful implementation of the University’s research strategy, focusing on specific objectives within the Schools and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS). The post-holder will support initiatives to increase research and business-related income. Working collaboratively with other Development Managers and Officers, the post-holder will support Faculty contributions towards the University’s new Global Research Themes.

The post-holder will support the identification and realisation of a range of UK and international opportunities for external funding, often working in partnership with industry and public sector agencies. This will include support for securing major European awards, including from Horizon 2020, but other relevant schemes are within the post’s scope. The post will also play a key support role in the development and co-ordination of the School’s impact portfolio, including commercialisation initiatives. The post-holder will be a key liaison point for the University’s Contracts Teams for both research and business-related projects.
Main responsibilities

Funding Opportunity Identification: Identify, promote and develop opportunities for interdisciplinary, academic, public sector and industrial research collaborations in diverse research and technology areas, to enhance the research and knowledge exchange portfolio of the School.

Where appropriate, co-ordinate these activities with Faculty/School Research/Strategy Committees and with research, business development and knowledge exchange staff based in other Faculties, Research and Graduate Services (RGS) and Business Engagement and Innovation Services’ (BEIS) teams.

 

Research Development: Provide advice and support to FMHS academic staff towards the development of international research proposals, including EU Framework Programme funding (Horizon 2020) as well as UK funding schemes (e.g. RCUK, NIHR, Innovate UK and charities).

Provide support measures, including presentations to academic staff, reviewing and, liaison with funding agencies, direct interaction with EU National Contact Points and Brussels-based desk officers.

Supporting individual academics to apply for certain investigator focused/fellowship schemes.

Coordinate the development of interdisciplinary bids and proposals and contribute to the drafting of research grant applications.

Work closely on the set up of newly funded initiatives with RGS, and in particular with the Research Contracts Team.

Work closely with PIs on existing major funded projects to further develop the relationship with the funder, facilitate discussions for funding follow-on developments, deepen the partnership with any project partners, and facilitate impact-related activities.

Liaise directly with funders, including research councils, charities and industry, on behalf of applicants and on behalf of the Faculty/School

Monitor success rates internally and work with Research Theme Leads to ensure awareness of current activity and facilitate a coordinated approach in response to relevant funding calls to manage grant volume.

 

Global Research Theme Support: Work closely with the University Global Research Theme Leads to support the interaction of the School and wider Faculty with these University-wide activities. Organise ad hoc scientific events and manage regular business meetings.

Support Research Theme funding allocation programmes.

 

Business Development: Identify new opportunities for research exploitation and collaboration, covering a range of knowledge exchange and technology transfer activities, working in association with BEIS’ Technology Transfer Office, Knowledge Transfer and Partnerships teams.

In collaboration with colleagues in BEIS, provide early-stage IPR and licensing process advice, including IPR due diligence, to academics in the School.

 

Impact Portfolio Support: Working with the Research Committee, support the development and ongoing co-ordination of the impact case-studies portfolio.

 

Line Management: Directly line-manage relevant staff within the Schools, in particular in relation to large, research project development and fellowship schemes.

Any other duties appropriate to the grade and role.

 

Additional Information

The post will work within the School of Life Sciences or the School of Medicine and the wider Faculty to provide professional support for research and business development and knowledge exchange. This role has primary objective of achieving an increase in the number and value of collaborative and industrial research awards to establish a strong translational research capability with an international profile.

 

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