Commercial Research Manager (REWIRE Innovation and Knowledge Centre)

The role

Applications are invited for the role of Commercial Research Manager in the UKRI Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) Transforming Net Zero with Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductor Device Technology (REWIRE) to support its rapid start up and negotiate sound commercial research deals with commercial funders. The Commercial Research Manager will support academic staff in securing commercial funding, advise on relevant policies, balance risk with commercial and intellectual benefit, and ensure the University’s contractual agreement terms and obligations are both achievable and properly understood.

REWIRE’s aim is to accelerate the UK’s ambition for net zero by transforming the next generation of high voltage electronic devices using wide/ultra-wide bandgap compound semiconductors. These devices are the essential building blocks for ultra-high voltage (UHV) net-zero enabling all-electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, renewable energy and their High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) grid connections, intelligent power distribution and energy supplies to telecommunication networks and data centres. Led by Bristol (Academic Director: Professor Kuball), in collaboration with Cambridge and Warwick Universities and industry partners, REWIRE will drive this transformation, taking fundamental research towards proof-of-concept, commercialisation, and exploitation.

What will you be doing?

The Commercial Research Manager will negotiate and manage the definition, development and approval of commercial research projects, focusing on the Pre-Contract Negotiation phase, and will lay the foundations for a smooth and efficient contract journey. Working with academic research teams, financial and legal experts, and others, the successful candidate will be responsible for driving forward each proposed project, from outline plan to proposal, to formal contract.

The role holder will develop a suite of templates and standard positions to develop commercial research projects, aimed to facilitate the recruitment of new commercial partners, using discretion and initiative to negotiate non-standard positions where required.

The Commercial Research Manager will also be responsible for providing specialist commercial advice to academic staff within REWIRE, ensuring that projects, proposals and associated discussions do not prejudice later negotiation stages related to cost/price or other project matters. They will also advise on relevant policies, supporting academic colleagues to secure sound commercial funding and contributing to achieve REWIRE’s income targets.

You should apply if

Applicants should have a good honours degree or equivalent, and previous experience of bid preparation, business development or other commercial activity, demonstrating good business acumen, a commercial mindset, and a passion for customer service. A good appreciation of strategy, processes, and issues for business engagement in the Higher Education sector are required.

Candidates should also possess great analytical abilities and interpersonal skills as well as excellent negotiation, written, numerical, and presentation capabilities, being able to communicate, negotiate and influence effectively at all levels.

Additional information

Informal enquiries (not applications) to Professor M. Kuball, martin.kuball@bristol.ac.uk, tel +44(0)117 928 8734. 

Contract type: Open-ended with fixed funding until 31/03/2025

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 24th April.

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