Licensing & Ventures Associate - Life Sciences

Oxford University Innovation; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 32,400 - 39,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday

8 bank holidays

Rewards scheme

Generous pension

Private medical insurance

Career opportunities

Job summary

Oxford University Innovation (OUI) is seeking applicants for a role with a focus on market research and project administration support. The successful candidate will hold an upper second-class degree in a life science area and demonstrate a passion for innovation and experience in relevant sectors.

Offered is a salary of £36,000 per annum along with a hybrid working model, 30 days holiday, and significant benefits. Applications are encouraged from diverse backgrounds to foster an inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified (ideally 2.1 or 1st class honours) in life science.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical, life science, medical, biotech, or digital health sectors.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Responsibilities

• Undertake market research and analysis for commercially viable deals.
• Support project managers in marketing technologies to potential end-users.
• Manage project administration and support Licensing & Ventures Managers.

Skills

Passion for science and innovation

Interpersonal and relationship management skills

Strong verbal and written communication

Organisational skills

Ability to grasp challenging technical concepts

Education

Upper second-class degree in a life science area

Masters degree or PhD (desirable)

Job description

Opportunity

REF 287 – Fixed Term contract through to 30th April 2027 With one foot in academia and the other in industry, Oxford University Innovation (OUI) undertakes a wide variety of activities. From licensing University inventions and finding investment for spin-out companies to setting up social enterprises and supporting student entrepreneurship. Innovation is the magic behind the scenes that turns ideas born in Oxford University into technologies and new ventures that create positive and transformative economic and societal impact in the wider world.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking market research and analysis to enable commercially viable deals to be completed.
• Supporting project managers by marketing technologies to potential end‑users in industry and helping to create compelling business cases for spin‑out companies.
• Managing project administration and supporting the Licensing & Ventures Managers in project work.

Qualifications

• Upper second‑class degree (or equivalent), or higher in a life science area.
• Passion for science, innovation and experience in the pharmaceutical, life science, medical, biotech or digital health sectors.
• Enthusiasm, positivity and appetite for learning and personal development.
• Degree qualified (ideally 2.1 or 1st class honours) in a Life Science related field, with a Masters degree or PhD being desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship management and team‑working skills, strong verbal and written communication.
• Ability to grasp challenging technical concepts quickly.
• Working successfully and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organisational skills allowing effective management and prioritisation of a wide range of tasks within a process‑driven environment.
• Making considered recommendations that demonstrate sound judgement and good analysis.
• Listening effectively to colleagues and stakeholders, learning quickly, accepting constructive feedback and putting it into practice.

Salary and Benefits

Salary for this role is £36,000 per annum on a fixed term contract to 30th April 2027 with excellent pro‑rated benefits including 30 days holiday, 8 bank holidays, rewards scheme, career opportunities, generous pension, private medical insurance and 50/50 hybrid working.

Closing Date

The closing date is midday on Thursday 11th June 2026.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Oxford University Innovation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a supportive working, learning and social environment, in which the rights and dignity of all its staff are respected, and where everyone is able to be themselves and is empowered to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. OUI is accredited with the Investors in People Silver status.

Hybrid and Flexible Working

We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to attracting and retaining the very best talent. We also appreciate that the UK workforce is becoming increasingly diverse and includes a high percentage of parents and individuals with caring responsibilities, as well as those whose interests and aspirations impact on their time. We recognise the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home lives by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their work commitments with other priorities. This includes hybrid working and flexible working.