Full time, fixed term contract for a maximum of 36 months from appointment.
We are seeking a suitably qualified candidate to join the WISB (Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre) Management Team to play an important role in the WISB industrial networking strategy. The appointee will support the WISB Director in coordinating WISB engagement with industry, including establishment and fostering of a (growing) network of industrial partners and will help foster relations with academic partners where appropriate. The role is will involve the development and implementation of a plan for engaging with current and potential industrial partners to promote the translation of WISB research alongside the initiation and successful progression of industrial partnerships. Progress will need to be monitored against targets and progress reports prepared on a regular basis (interim reports and periodic annual reports) and include participation in the preparation of large-scale (international) funding proposals designed to support research and training activities.
The appointee will also work with the WISB Research Technology Facility (RTF) Manager in building and maintaining industrial and academic partnerships and in promoting the value and capabilities of the WISB community and of the WISB RTF to external partners.
Additionally to identify, and implement, strategies for obtaining industrial financial (and/or in-kind) support for joint research projects involving WISB, the development of funding proposals and contracts (financial and in-kind) in line with funder and University regulations, drawing on support from other professional service colleagues (within SLS, RIS, Doctoral College, Warwick Ventures etc.) as necessary.
Where strategically appropriate, the Industrial Liaison Manager will work with academic colleagues and Warwick Ventures to support ideas for commercial exploitation of WISB intellectual property, for instance spin-out formation and licensing of IP to external commercial organisations.
A final area of responsibility will be to support the management of WISB training activities, for example by overseeing the WISB programme for Responsible Research & Innovation (RRI).
• To develop and implement a plan for engaging with current and potential industrial partners promoting the translation of WISB research as well as the initiation and successful progression of industrial partnerships. This will include establishment and fostering of a (growing) network of industrial partners.
• Responsibility for monitoring progress against targets and provision of regular progress reports (interim and periodic annual reports).
• Responsibility includes participation in the preparation of large-scale (international) funding proposals designed to support research and training activities.
• To work with the WISB Research Technology Facility (RTF) Manager in building and maintaining industrial and academic partnerships and in promoting the value and capabilities of the WISB community and of the WISB RTF to external partners.
• To identify, and implement, strategies for obtaining industrial financial (and/or in-kind) support for joint research projects involving WISB. Including supporting the development of funding proposals and contracts (financial and in-kind) in line with funder and University regulations, drawing on support from other professional services colleagues (within SLS, RIS, Doctoral College, Warwick Ventures etc.) as necessary and supporting the WISB renewal bid, expected to have a strong industry focus.
• Where strategically appropriate, to support activities intended to encourage collaborations with academic partners.
• Where strategically appropriate, to work with academic colleagues and Warwick Ventures to support ideas for commercial exploitation of WISB intellectual property, for instance spin-out formation and licensing of IP to external commercial organisations.
• To manage a programme of training for all WISB members [including (research) students] in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). The organisation of training events and monitoring the status of peoples’ RRI awareness. Industrial collaboration in this programme will be sought where possible.
• To support WISB colleagues in the advancement of training and education activities of WISB, including the development of international programmes for the exchange of students and postdocs with international partners, particularly where these link in to industrial research.
• In a wider context, to explore ways to promote WISB more generally including organisation of outreach activities involving a range of audiences.
• To arrange meetings of, and present papers at, the WISB Management Board. To arrange meetings of the WISB Advisory Board. Where appropriate (and necessary), to be responsible for the travel arrangements of members of the WISB Advisory Board and of the WISB Management Team.
• To work closely with the WISB Director and liaise with WISB partners over the development and implementation of WISB policies. To set up effective communication channels with the institutional partners on the activities of the project and partner obligations. Current international WISB partners are located in Brazil, USA, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Spain, and this network is expected to expand.
• To assist the WISB Management Team in seeking further funding in support of WISB as an internationally recognised centre of excellence (through funding opportunities at the European, international and national levels and exploring commercial relationships).
• Where appropriate, to collaborate with academic and professional services staff in SLS and in the wider University to share and exploit industry and commercial contacts in ways that support SLS’s and the University’s industry research strategy and are of mutual benefit to WISB and non-WISB activities.
• To support the Director and WISB RTF Manager in managing the financial aspects of WISB-related research, including ensuring accurate records, partner’s queries are dealt with effectively, funds are distributed according to agreed budgets and timetables, eligible expenditure is incurred in accordance with Research Council rules and partners are fully informed of their own responsibilities and to ensure that over- and under- spends do not occur.
• To work with SLS’s Assistant Accountant (Research) to prepare the annual financial report and to ensure that WISB’s activities are properly reflected in the University’s research income forecast
• Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.
• Where required, to assist with other activities related to WISB as agreed with the Director. For example provide support the WISB website.
