Knowledge Exchange Manager - School of Physical Sciences (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 July 2030 in the first instance. 

The Opportunity:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the School of the Physical Sciences (SPS) as the Knowledge Exchange Manager. This role will provide oversight and coordination of knowledge exchange activities across the School and will also work to support knowledge exchange activities in School departments without local departmental Knowledge Exchange posts. As such, this is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is interested in external engagement and partnership development as well as developing the School's strategy and connecting opportunities across the School's departments. 

Working at the interface of academia, industry, and policy, the postholder will play an important role in identifying the most promising opportunities for engagement and maximising the benefit for the translation of the School's research.

As an enthusiastic, agile and resourceful Knowledge Exchange Manager, you will work in close partnership with the Deputy Head of School for Research to put in place mechanisms to establish an overview of knowledge exchange activities across the School and to provide advice and direction for departments.

You will work closely with academic impact leads and researchers in departments including Geography, Earth Sciences and the Institute of Astronomy to develop and support their knowledge exchange plans. You will also establish strong working relationships with knowledge exchange support staff in other SPS departments, including Mathematics, Materials Science, Chemistry and Physics, identifying opportunities for coordinated activity. 

You will be part of a wider community of support including the Research Relations team in the Schools of Physical Sciences and Technology, the Business Engagement team in the Research Office, and the CUDAR (Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations) team and you will establish excellent working relationships to ensure opportunities have appropriate support. 

You will have excellent interpersonal skills and be well versed in liaising with academia and external stakeholders such as industry, government and charities. You will also have excellent project management and communication skills and have the desire to drive change, with experience in research grants administration and contract negotiations. The role will suit someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and taking the lead.  

This role is predominantly office based and the postholder will be expected to spend time in the School Office, as well as time on Department premises (central and West Cambridge), but with options for flexibility including an element of working from home under the School's home working policy. 

This is a fixed term position until 31st July 2030 funded through the University's HEIF (Higher Education Innovation Funding) allocation.

The School offers flexible and hybrid working opportunities.

Additional information regarding the role may be found within the Further Particulars via the link below. Your CV, along with a covering letter, should clearly set out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification (the skills and experience required for the role) including relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted based upon these criteria.

Informal queries regarding this post may be sent to: Dr Chris Bird, Deputy Director of Research Relations, Christopher.Bird@admin.cam.ac.uk. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact PhysicalSciences@admin.cam.ac.uk. 

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

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