QAMS SRI Coordinator and Business Developer (Fixed Term)

Department/Location: Department of Engineering, Cambridge Graphene Centre, West Cambridge

The Quantum and Advanced Materials technologies for a Sustainable Society (QAMSS) Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) brings together Cambridge minds to facilitate collaboration across disciplines, improve Cambridge visibility, and coordinate large strategic grants. QAMSS facilitates collaborations via working group members representing complementary activities. Examples include: Interdisciplinary Research Centres (Cambridge Centre for Data Driven-Discovery, Energy, Neurosciences, Synthetic Biology); Strategic Research Initiatives (Global Challenges, Trust in Technology); Strategic Research Networks (Digital Humanities); and Cross-School Initiatives (Cambridge Digital Humanities, Cambridge Zero, Centre for Digital Built Britain). These are distinctive in supporting a sustainable society.

The QAMSS-SRI Coordinator and Business Developer reports to, and supports, the SRI Co-Chairs (Professors Atature, Ferrari and Ducati, based at the Departments of Physics, Engineering and Materials Science and Metallurgy) and the QAMSS Steering Committee to develop the ongoing strategy for the initiative and manages the SRI team to implement and deliver the required activities. The role-holder actively grows and manages relations with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the mutually agreed aims are met. A key element of the role is to communicate business needs and market drivers from industry. This includes business development and communications work for the Cambridge Graphene Centre (CGC), for the Graphene Flagship, the Layered Materials Research Foundry, and other projects accounting for 50% of the time.

Based in West Cambridge, the SRI coordinator will be expected to spend part of their time in the departments and centers supporting the SRI initiative and organize inclusive activities and meetings using their local facilities. The SRI Chairs and Steering Committee members will ensure office and meeting spaces are available for the SRI Coordinator to use.

The successful applicant will hold a degree level qualification in a scientific or technical subject relevant to the role's remit, at PhD Level or equivalent. Experience in dealing with new product and/or process development for industry is required, as well as previous exposure to company dynamics and the capability to bridge the gap between research and business goals. Knowledge of the patenting process, licensing or other aspects of technology transfer and experience in new business development and setting B2B or academic-industry collaborations is needed. Excellent communication and IT skills are essential, including the ability to produce and update webpages, produce and disseminate press releases, deal with media and press, Knowledge of IP management criteria and experience in negotiation and handling collaborations and reporting within UK and EU projects is highly desirable.

The QAMSS SRI and CGC actively promote policies to address historic under-representation of women and minority groups in the Cambridge workforce. The departments of Physics and Engineering are proud to hold Athena-SWAN Gold and Silver Awards, respectively, for our work on equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I). Applicants from under-represented groups, as well as candidates with a track record in addressing ED&I issues in research and education, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2025 in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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