Investment Manager (Deep Tech)

Cambridge Enterprise; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday

Bupa private medical insurance

Hybrid role with flexible working

University pension scheme

LinkedIn learning

Family-friendly policies

Mental health support

Menopause Plan

Retail and travel discounts

Job summary

Cambridge Enterprise Ventures hires an Investment Manager (Deep Tech) to source deals, negotiate terms and support founders from discovery to funding. You’ll work across quantum, materials, photonics and energy ventures with world-class researchers and investors.

You’ll own end-to-end investment journeys, build a strong network, and contribute to Cambridge's tech ecosystem with autonomy and impact.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background with a degree in a relevant physical science discipline.
• Experience commercialising technology in a technology transfer or commercial environment.
• Experience managing investments into spin-out or start-up companies.
• Strong financial skills and clear business sense.
• Confident in the environment of world-class academic research.
• Ability to work with others to reach consensus decisions and use sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Source deals and evaluate investment opportunities.
• Negotiate term sheets and take board observer seats.
• Leverage your network to identify potential non-executive director talent.

Skills

Commercialising technology

Investment sourcing

Negotiation

Financial analysis

Networking

Team collaboration

Independence

Education

Degree in physical science

PhD in science (nice to have)

Job description

West Cambridge | From £50,000 | Full-time | Hybrid working (2 days from home)

Most investors back companies. Here, you'll help create them.

At Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, you will work with world-leading researchers, ambitious founders and experienced investors to turn breakthrough science from the University of Cambridge into companies that can change industries, improve lives and tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. You'll play a direct, hands-on role in sourcing, building and funding deep tech ventures across areas such as quantum computing, advanced materials, photonics and energy technologies.

Why you will love this role:

Working at the intersection of science, innovation and investment, you'll spot promising technologies long before they reach the market and help shape them into investable businesses. One day you might be exploring a new area of research with a leading academic. The next, you'll be building an investment case, supporting a founder through fundraising, or helping secure backing from a syndicate of investors.

This is a role with real breadth and genuine autonomy. You will own the investment journey end-to-end: sourcing deals, negotiating term sheets, taking board observer seats, and leveraging your network to help founders find potential commercial and non-executive director talent.

What is in it for you? You will play a vital role in enabling the translation of cutting-edge ideas into commercial success, backed by a team whose spin-outs have gone on to raise over £3bn from other investors. Alongside early deal-making independence and a front-row seat to world-changing innovation, you will build an exceptional reputation and network at the very heart of Europe's most successful tech ecosystem.

What we're looking for:

• Strong technical background with a degree in a relevant physical science discipline
• Experience of commercialising technology, in either a technology transfer or commercial environment
• Experience of managing investments into spin out or start-up companies
• Strong financial skills and clear business sense
• Must be confident and credible in the environment of world class academic research
• Engages in ‘what-if’ thinking to consider future implications and weigh the benefits and risks attached with actions
• Ability to work with others to reach consensus decisions and use sound judgement in making difficult decisions in a timely manner.
• Works well as a team member, and actively seeks to cultivate a broad network of working relationships, paired with the ability to work independently
• Evidence of drive, an ability to identify phases and activities needed to achieve goals, plus the ability to complete matters in a timely manner
• A high level of customer focus; articulate, with clear and demonstrable business sense

Nice to have:

• PhD in a relevant science discipline, or experience in a relevant role
• Exposure to University-derived technology companies with high growth potential
• A good understanding of several sectors within the relevant sciences
• Bring financial and commercial expertise to bear on the evaluation of investment opportunities
• Understanding and experience of working with University Technology transfer offices to license IP or spin out new ventures
• Track record of successful, relevant achievements and networks in academia and business

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 the People andCulture team [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's 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 an Investment Manager (Deep Tech)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:30 September
First interviews (online): 19-20 October 2026
Second interviews (in-person): 26 - 27 October 2026
If we get a strong response, we may close the role a little earlier than planned. This could mean the timelines or key dates shift slightly, so we’d recommend applying soon.