DESCRIPTION

The role will include helping to drive knowledge transfer between the science and technology base and industry, promoting networking and stimulating innovation relevant to industrial applications of advanced materials.
The post will be varied, working with businesses across multitude of sectors, providing technical capability to help UK industry to create economic value by innovating with advanced materials, with a focus on opportunities driven by key strategic programmes such as commercialisation of advanced materials, developments in batteries and sustainable critical materials. An analytical mind, understanding of how supply chains work, experience of specifying advanced materials for industrial applications or the ability to put together compelling business cases for growth are essential.
The role sits within Innovate UK Business Connect’s Materials and Manufacturing team. Our core purpose is to connect innovators with new partners and to develop new opportunities in a collaborative effort. The team is dedicated to identifying and supporting the development of sustainable cutting-edge, cross-sector technologies, world-class design processes and new business models that have the potential to transform the UK’s economy and society. We work closely with businesses, academia, policy makers, regulators, and other innovation partners to provide expertise, connections to help turn game-changing ideas into successful commercial products and services, and access to funding and investment opportunities.
On a day-to-day basis, you will work with other team members to engage with high-growth businesses to understand their innovation needs and direct them towards public and private finance, potential commercial and academic partners, and other opportunities to support their growth. You will contribute to Innovate UK Business Connect’s success, working with colleagues on cross-sector collaboration projects, capturing and reporting KPI achievements.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Technical qualification (PhD or equivalent) and experience in Advanced Materials.
• Technical or research experience in one or more of the focused areas of sustainable advanced materials, materials for demanding environments and for energy generation and storage.
• Experience facilitating conversations and workshops to deliver meaningful outcomes.
• Practical experience in using analytical tools to gather and analyse supply chain and market data. Need to demonstrate good understanding of market drivers and trends.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Understanding of the importance of networks.
• Awareness of knowledge transfer or business analysis and development processes would be beneficial.
• Experience in the private sector.

SKILLS

• Good writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex topics for a broad audience.
• Highly motivated, self-starting and results oriented individual with a strong desire to deliver economic and societal impacts through collaborative partnerships.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently and build effective relationships.
• Team player with good relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, and diverse environment.
• High level of IT literacy and competent use of social media to deliver key messages and information.

• Identify and monitor trends, drivers and opportunities for innovation in the industrial application of advanced materials through interaction with business, the technology base and investors.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of potential high growth businesses in or able to exploit advanced materials.
• Prepare future work programmes for advanced materials in agreement with stakeholders and team members, working with industry to identify their needs and capabilities.
• Ensure that industry is aware of the funding opportunities available for research and innovation involving advanced materials.
• Facilitate networking opportunities for industry to meet with peers and potential collaborators. Actively promote opportunities and relevant activities in advanced materials through various media.
• Reach out to individual businesses, research institutions and universities, mainly within the UK, to understand their R&D needs and innovation capabilities.
• Work within the Innovate UK Business Connect structure in a flexible manner, e.g. take part in joint activities with colleagues in other teams.
• Track outcomes resulting from Innovate UK Business Connect interventions, seeking case studies and success stories. Support KPI delivery and provide regular reporting of activity and outcomes.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of potential high growth businesses in or able to exploit advanced functional materials and systems.
• Promote diversity and inclusion both within Innovate UK Business Connect and across engaged sectors.