DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The successful candidate will secure an 18-month collaborative Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) position. The Associate will learn about socio-technical systems and communication from experts at Heriot-Watt University, before leading a project that considers an optimal approach for Scottish EDGE expansion into new territories.
The role represents an opportunity to shape how Scotland supports entrepreneurs for the next decade. You’ll be at the heart of national innovation strategy, working alongside competition judges, business founders, and policymakers to develop a scalable judging framework that’s both rigorous and fair. This role might suit someone who thrives at the intersection of data, people, and purpose who’s ready to translate theory into practice through collaborative experimentation.
This project, and its Associate, fulfils a critical role at Scottish EDGE and will be responsible for the transfer of knowledge from Heriot-Watt University to Scottish EDGE and contribute to market growth for the business. This shall include, but not be limited to, embedding knowledge and expertise within the Scottish EDGE team on optimal judging methodology. This is a strategic imperative for the project. External expertise from Heriot-Watt is required to develop a scalable and adaptable licensing framework without compromising core values.

This full-time position is funded by Scottish EDGE and InnovateUK. The successful appointee shall be based at Scottish EDGE’s premises in Glasgow and work in a hybrid format. The project will also involve working with colleagues based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus. If the project is successful there may be an opportunity to secure a permanent post at Scottish EDGE to take the project outcomes forward. This role will appeal to people currently engaged in work such as:

• Academic-Practitioners/Portfolio career academics
• Recently graduated with a top-class degree and already has some industry experience
• Recently completed (or completing) an MRes, MSc, MPhil, or PhD in: Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Business Analytics or Decision Science; Public Policy, Economic Development; Sociology / Social Research Methods; Education or Evaluation Studies
• Mid-career individuals working in: Business incubators or accelerators, innovation centres or enterprise teams in universities; Third-sector organisations focused on enterprise
• Policy/Evaluation Analysts
• People with experience in: Think tanks; Local or regional economic development agencies, public innovation funds or grant assessment
• Early-career Consultants or Design Thinkers

As a KTP associate you will receive training as part of a cohort, training on Scottish EDGE systems and processes and training time/budget for personal development.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• A first degree from any discipline within the Social Sciences (min. 2.1); graduates from other disciplines are welcome to apply if they feel they can satisfy the other essential criteria
• Written communication skills with experience of using data to build reports/articles/presentations.
• Verbal communication skills with experience of workshops/engaging stakeholders/giving oral presentations. An active listener and challenging questioner.

Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills

• : understanding of roles, coordination, empathy and organisational citizenship.
• Experience of data analysis (quant. or qual.) and of using data analysis software (such as Nvivo, Atlas.ti, SPSS).
• IT skills including being Excel literate and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word.
• Great organisational skills, with a high-level of attention to detail.
• The candidate must be a creative problem solver with a strong capacity for self-motivation and independent work.
• Empathetic, with a genuine commitment to the success of the project.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload, with strong time management skills.
• Knowledge of the Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Desirable:

• Knowledge of startups and the challenges they face.

Advanced research skills (such as MRes, Mphil, PhD) and a curiosity to learn

• : this position could be an alternative to a PostDoc
• Interview skills
• Experience of applying and translating theoretical data to a real-life application
• Experience of identifying market/business opportunities
• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics and SharePoint.

ROLE: KTP ASSOCIATE IN JUDGING METHODOLOGY FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP (HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY AND SCOTTISH EDGE; KTP PROJECT NUMBER 10155768)

Salary: £36,000 with a £1500 bonus on completion of the project
Contract: Full-time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term for 18 months

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:

• Plan and manage the activity of the project in line with the identified workplan. Produce a budget and risk register.
• Lead the analysis and interpretation of research data, and develop required outputs drawn from the research findings including;
• Researching existing judging processes and carrying out a comprehensive literature review of existing decision making models.
• Surveying Scottish EDGE judges and collating and reviewing feedback.
• Mapping and documenting current Scottish EDGE judging processes and identifying potential areas for improvement.
• Developing a methodology for gathering and applying insights from diverse territoriesCreate a judges
• ' toolkit and training workshop package.
• Develop a feedback model for the EDGE competition.
• Testing of the decision-making toolkit and judging framework in other territories in the UK
• Support with the creation of a licensing package for Scottish EDGE
• Create a library of promotional materials to distribute to potential licensees
• Contribute to, and lead, the dissemination of results from the project.
• Contribute to identifying business opportunities that the project opens up.
• Actively participate in the activities of the wider business as a full member of the EDGE Team.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the salary of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all key duties and responsibilities.
The role will be based at the Scottish EDGE office in Glasgow with two days a week in the office and three days a week working from home. Travel to Edinburgh will be required from time to time throughout the project.

This full-time position is funded by Scottish EDGE and InnovateUK. The successful appointee shall be based at Scottish EDGE’s premises in Glasgow and work in a hybrid format. The project will also involve working with colleagues based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus. If the project is successful there may be an opportunity to secure a permanent post at Scottish EDGE to take the project outcomes forward. This role will appeal to people currently engaged in work such as:

• Academic-Practitioners/Portfolio career academics
• Recently graduated with a top-class degree and already has some industry experience
• Recently completed (or completing) an MRes, MSc, MPhil, or PhD in: Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Business Analytics or Decision Science; Public Policy, Economic Development; Sociology / Social Research Methods; Education or Evaluation Studies
• Mid-career individuals working in: Business incubators or accelerators, innovation centres or enterprise teams in universities; Third-sector organisations focused on enterprise
• Policy/Evaluation Analysts
• People with experience in: Think tanks; Local or regional economic development agencies, public innovation funds or grant assessment
• Early-career Consultants or Design Thinker