Commercialisation Lead (Engineering and Physical Sciences)

University of Sheffield

Sheffield

Hybrid

GBP 49,000 - 58,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Generous pension

Staff discounts and rewards

Career development and mentoring

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a senior professional to lead the Commercialisation Journey, guiding researchers to translate discoveries into market-ready opportunities. You will line-manage the team, deliver training, and drive IP licensing negotiations, contributing to regional economic growth and research impact.

Applicants should have strong experience in engineering or physical sciences research, market discovery, and a track record in leading complex negotiations.

Qualifications

Clear enthusiasm for commercialisation of academic research outputs and a motivation to build new products and services.
Experience of undertaking technical research in Engineering or Physical Sciences, preferably to postgraduate level.
Experience of using market discovery methods to successfully identify and adapt value propositions based on new technologies.
Demonstrate solid understanding of capturing value through identifying and securing intellectual property rights.
Experience of leading successful commercial negotiations, preferably in establishing new businesses, securing investment or IP licensing.
Provide examples of using initiative and taking ownership of tasks.
Proven ability to manage a diverse portfolio of projects effectively.
Ability to conduct independent research to inform decision-making and refine plans.
Experience of working effectively with external experts to achieve optimal outcomes.
Proven track record of developing and delivering engaging training programs, with leadership experience in start-ups or spin-outs.

Responsibilities

Lead activities relating to the Commercialisation Journey for a range of opportunities.
Line management of other members of the commercialisation team.
Provide guidance, training, coaching & mentorship to engineers embarking on the Commercialisation Journey.
Deliver Commercialisation Journey training to teams and cohorts, maintaining training materials.
Develop and utilise commercial and technical knowledge to translate research into value propositions with market fit.
Lead commercial negotiations relating to IP licences, investment terms and shareholder rights.
Oversee and be accountable for accurate record keeping in internal databases for project management and reporting.
Project manage high-value commercialisation opportunities, especially IP-licences.
Support innovators to secure internal and external funding and contribute to budgets and forecasts.
Report on the portfolio and lead bids to internal investment committee.
Ensure due diligence on IP ownership, funding history and regulatory compliance.
Identify improvements to the Commercialisation Journey and align priorities with faculty plans.
Think strategically about IP portfolio and patent strategies.
Support innovators through external pre-accelerator programmes.
Promote the Journey as a driver of impact from academic research and entrepreneurial culture.
Provide advice on innovation and commercialisation strategies.
Contribute to development of relevant university policies.
Support partnership with Northern Gritstone with investment directors.
Represent Sheffield in professional fora and share best practice with other institutions.

Skills

Commercialisation expertise

Engineering/Physical sciences research

Market discovery methods

IP rights & licensing

Negotiation leadership

Initiative & ownership

Portfolio management

Independent research

External collaboration

Training program leadership

Education

Engineering or Physical Sciences postgraduate

Job description

RPI supports agreed University, Faculty and School priorities for research and innovation: income generation, research excellence, PGR experience, partnership development and knowledge exchange leading to income and/or impact and commercialisation of IP and student enterprise. Our focus is on delivering professional, value-add advice and support to our community of researchers and innovators. We are a well-connected team which understands the priorities of the organisation and our external stakeholders and customers and the external environment in which we operate. Team members collaborate, reflect, develop their skills and have a risk-appropriate mindset of continuous improvement to our processes, policy and approach.
You will be responsible for developing and delivering our , a high-quality programme designed to empower researchers to explore the commercial potential of their work and potentially create spin-out companies, intellectual property licences or social enterprises.
You will be key to the University's research and innovation strategy, contributing to job creation, impactful research, and regional economic growth. You will provide comprehensive support to innovators through dedicated one-on-one guidance and co-delivery of our training programs. You will support innovators to access funding, mentorship and valuable market research resources on their journey from idea generation to launching their commercial ventures. You will also lead commercial negotiations with third parties relating to intellectual property licences.
You will have excellent professional development opportunities. Previous members of the team have become spin-out founders themselves, joined investment companies or secured internal promotion.

Main duties and responsibilities

Lead activities relating to the Commercialisation Journey for a range of opportunities.
Line management of other members of the commercialisation team.
Provide guidance, training, coaching & mentorship to engineers embarking on the Commercialisation Journey.
Deliver Commercialisation Journey training to individual teams and cohorts, proactively maintaining training materials.
Develop and utilise commercial and technical knowledge to support innovators to translate their research discoveries into value propositions with market fit.
Lead commercial negotiations relating to IP-licences, investment terms and shareholder rights while drawing on the experience of internal and external professional services.
Oversee and be accountable for accurate record keeping in internal databases and systems for the purposes of project management and annual reporting (national and funder-specific).
Project manage high-value commercialisation opportunities, particularly IP-licences, where no entrepreneurial‑lead can be identified from within the research team.
Support innovators to secure internal and external funding. Monitor budgets, ensure spend occurs to schedule and contribute forecasts to the annual budgeting process.
Report on the portfolio; lead bids to our internal investment committee.
Take responsibility for ensuring that adequate due diligence is undertaken on projects with respect to IP-ownership, historic funding, third party rights and regulatory compliance.
Identify improvements to the Commercialisation Journey through regular review of materials and develop team priorities in alignment with the faculty innovation plans.
Think strategically about the engineering intellectual property portfolio and justify decisions relating to patent protection. Develop expertise in common engineering IP strategies.
Support innovators through external pre‑accelerator and accelerator programmes.
Promote the Commercialisation Journey as a mechanism for delivering impact from academic research to continue to build a culture of ambition and entrepreneurial motivation within the University.
Provide advice on innovation and commercialisation strategies.
Contribute to or lead the development of relevant university policies.
Support our partnership with Northern Gritstone by establishing and maintaining a strong relationship with investment directors and other staff.
Represent Sheffield in professional fora and share best practice with other institutions through formal and informal means.
Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Clear enthusiasm for commercialisation of academic research outputs and a motivation to build new products and services
Essential
Experience of undertaking technical research in Engineering or Physical Sciences, preferably to postgraduate (or equivalent) level
Essential
Experience of using market discovery methods to successfully identify and adapt value propositions based on new technologies
Essential
Demonstrate solid understanding of capturing value through identifying and securing intellectual property rights
Essential
Experience of leading successful commercial negotiations, preferably in establishing new businesses, securing investment or IP licensing
Essential
Provide examples of using initiative and taking ownership of tasks
Essential
Proven ability to manage a diverse portfolio of projects effectively
Essential
Ability to conduct independent research (technical, market, commercial) to inform decision-making and refine plans
Essential
Experience of working effectively with external experts (legal, financial) to achieve optimal outcomes
A proven track record of developing and delivering engaging and informative training programs, Previous experience in a leadership position within a start-up, spin out or small business

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview, We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

£48,822 - £58,225. Potential to progress to £65,509 through sustained exceptional contribution

Work arrangement

Full-time
Open-ended
Line manager Head of Commercialisation
Direct reports None at this time, with potential future line management responsibility
Right to work in the UK, Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
Generous pension scheme.
A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
A range of generous family-friendly policies
paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
access to menopause support in the workplace
paid time off and support for fertility treatment
and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: (opens in a new window).
We are a (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.