Commercialisation Associate (Physical Sciences and Engineering)

Cambridge Enterprise; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Hybrid role with flexible working

University pension scheme

LinkedIn Learning

Parental leave & childcare benefits

Mental health support

Menopause support

Discounts

Job summary

Cambridge Enterprise in Cambridge is seeking a Commercialisation Associate on a fixed-term 10-month contract. The role supports commercialising academic ideas, assessing inventions, IP management, and exploring market opportunities to attract investment and partnerships.

You’ll work with academics, patent attorneys and commercial partners across a varied portfolio, helping researchers develop ideas with real-world impact and build expertise in technology transfer and venture creation.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in a scientific or technical discipline and/or research experience.
• A genuine interest in technology commercialisation, IP or innovation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills.
• Confidence managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A proactive approach and willingness to take ownership of tasks.
• Good attention to detail and record-keeping skills.
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills and confidence learning new systems.

Responsibilities

• Assess new inventions and support IP management within the commercialisation pathway.
• Explore market opportunities and help researchers develop ideas that attract investment and partnerships.
• Work across Cambridge Enterprise to support technology transfer and venture creation.
• Collaborate with academics, patent attorneys, and commercial partners.
• Help researchers build ideas with real-world impact and breadth of innovation knowledge.

Skills

Ph.D. in Science/Engineering

Tech commercialization interest

Analytical skills

Organization & time management

Prioritization & deadlines

Communication skills

Stakeholder relationship building

Proactive mindset

Attention to detail

MS 365 proficiency

Education

Ph.D. in Physical Sciences or Engineering

Job description

West Cambridge | From £36,000 | Full-time, fixed term (10 months) | Hybrid (3 days in office)

Do you want to play a role in commercialising the ground-breaking ideas of world-leading academics?

Why you will love this role:

Some of the most exciting research at the University of Cambridge never reaches industry without the right support. This role helps bridge that gap.

You'll work alongside experienced technology commercialisation professionals to assess new inventions, support intellectual property management, explore market opportunities and help researchers develop ideas that can attract investment, partnerships and commercial interest.

The role offers exposure to the full commercialisation journey. You'll work across a varied portfolio of technologies, collaborating with academics, patent attorneys, commercial partners and colleagues across Cambridge Enterprise. It's a great opportunity to develop expertise in technology transfer and venture creation while building a broad understanding of innovation, intellectual property and commercialisation strategy.

Your work will help ensure innovations have the best possible chance of achieving real-world impact.

What we’re looking for:

• A Ph.D. in a scientific or technical discipline relevant to the Physical Sciences or engineering sector and/or research experience

• A genuine interest in technology commercialisation, intellectual property or innovation

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and draw practical conclusions

• Excellent organisation and time management skills

• Confidence managing multiple priorities and deadlines

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

• A proactive approach and willingness to take ownership of tasks

• Good attention to detail and record-keeping skills

• Strong Microsoft 365 skills and confidence learning new systems

Nice to have:

• Experience in a commercial, business development, marketing or technical sales environment

• Knowledge of patents, licensing or other aspects of technology transfer

• Experience reviewing or supporting commercial agreements

Here you can find the full job description Commercialisation Associate - fixed term

Diversity and equality matter:

These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they check every single box. At Cambridge Enterprise, we promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture,so if you feel you have most of the skills and experience needed, we’d love to hear from you.

If you have any questions about the interview process, or if you need any reasonable adjustments, please don’t hesitate to contact Sofia or the People andCulture team at [e-mail]

Why Cambridge Enterprise?

We are at the heart of Europe’s most successful research and technology cluster and we're on a mission to bring innovation to life, making a difference to society, the UK economy, and the University of Cambridge. We connect the innovative minds of the University’s academics with the funding, start-up expertise and commercial relationships they need to help their ideas thrive.

Our success stories include an electric vehicle charging technology that is as convenient as filling up with petrol, a programme to prevent ideological extremism, and the world's first treatment for a rare cause of blindness. Now, we need a Commercialisation Associate to join our team at our vibrant West Cambridge site.

Perks at a glance:

• 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays)

• Class-leading Bupa private medical insurance

• Hybrid role with genuine flexible working - including work from abroad for up to 30 days a year in most roles

• Generous University pension scheme.

• A commitment to personal development including LinkedIn learning.

• Family-friendly policies (including enhanced parental leave & childcare benefits, fertility leave, and pregnancy loss leave)

• Mental health and well-being support including access to free counselling.

• Access to Bupa’s Menopause Plan for expert advice and support.

• Retail and travel discounts.

Key dates:

Closing date: 27 September
Screening calls: 29 September
First interviews: 5 October [TEAMS]
Second interviews: 12 October [in-person]