Innovation Associate

The Role and Department

Following the success of Newcastle University’s Arrow programme, the model is now being rolled-out across the four regional universities, expanding the projects offer to business across the region. To enable this expansion, Durham University is seeking to recruit Innovation Associates to work on the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funded Arrow innovation support programme.

This post is fixed term with a start date from 1^st August 2024 until 31^st March 2025. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st August 2024.

Through the work of a network of Business Development Managers located in the four institutions, the Arrow model aims to provide a catalyst function identifying and linking innovative businesses to specialist Innovation Associates within academic departments who can help them to undertake collaborative research and innovation activities, supported by funding.

Working in the Arrow team, the successful candidate will co-ordinate, project manage and deliver a portfolio of collaborations between Durham University, businesses, and external partners. The candidate will have a key role in helping to develop and support North East-based businesses to develop and commercialise new products and services, which will help the University to develop a pipeline of projects with regional businesses and contribute to raising the innovation and economic potential of businesses in the region.

Candidates will have (or be working towards) a postgraduate degree (ideally PhD) preferably in the sectors: Green Energy /Data Sciences. Additionally, previous experience of developing and delivering short term research and innovation projects related to new product development or emerging technologies would be useful. Experience of working in or with industry would also be advantageous.

The Arrow project is part of the larger regional In-TUNE programme, which is part-funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the North of Tyne Combined Authority and is now administered by the North East Combined Authority.

In -TUNE is a collaborative regional project led by Durham University in partnership with Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland Universities and CPI to deliver targeted innovation and commercialisation support across the North of Tyne and Durham areas supporting business productivity, innovation and spin-out formation. The project builds on the proven success of the Northern Accelerator and Arrow programmes enhancing the available support, widening the partnership and enabling access across the available geographies.

Lead responsibility for the Arrow Project at Durham University lies with the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) team. The post holder will report to the Head of the Economic Development Team and will be a member of the Commercialisation and Economic Development group, whose remit is to drive spinout creation, licensing activity and major economic development projects and strategic relationships.

The RIS Team provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.

The Economic Development team within the RIS directorate works with external organisations and our academic colleagues to facilitate the creation of new research and commercial opportunities and to ensure that Durham University’s research is world-changing with local, regional, and global impact and reach.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

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