Research & Innovation Development Associate (SHAPE)

Loughborough University; Loughborough; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Where you work

Financial Wellbeing

Support for you and those close to you

Health and Wellbeing

Travel and sustainability

Job summary

Loughborough University is seeking a proactive Research and Innovation Development Associate (SHAPE) to join the Research and Innovation Office on a 0.5 FTE, open-ended, hybrid basis at Loughborough.

You will identify funding and partnership opportunities, support knowledge exchange, and help translate research into societal and economic impact within the SHAPE Hub, collaborating with academic colleagues, external partners, and professional services to meet strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Experience in research, innovation, knowledge exchange, or partnership development, particularly in health, well-being and clinical sciences disciplines.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• A collaborative mindset and ability to work across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Identify and profile funding and collaboration opportunities across public, private, and charitable sectors.
• Support the development of new partnerships and research proposals.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and facilitate cross-functional initiatives.
• Maintain oversight of research and innovation projects, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Organise and support events, funder visits, and training workshops.

Skills

Research experience

Knowledge exchange

Partnership development

Strong communication

Analytical skills

Collaborative mindset

Job description

The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.

We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage .

Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website .

Job details

Job title Research and Innovation Development Associate (SHAPE) Job reference REQ260597 Date posted 19/08/2026 Application closing date 18/09/2026 Location Loughborough Package Management and Specialist grade 6 from £35,608 to £46,049 per annum (pro-rata). Subject to annual pay award.

Research and Innovation Office

Part Time (0.5 FTE), Open ended, Hybrid

Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.

About the University

Universities are one of this country’s greatest assets. We’re educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society.

At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselvesin the pursuit of better.

About the Department

Are you passionate about enabling research to make a real-world impact? Do you thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy building partnerships that drive innovation?

Loughborough University is seeking a proactive and enthusiastic Research and Innovation Development Associate to join our Research and Innovation Office (RIO). This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the University’s ambitious strategy to grow research and innovation income and foster impactful collaborations.

About the Role

You will play a key role in identifying and developing funding and partnership opportunities, supporting knowledge exchange, and helping translate research into societal and economic impact. Working within our specialist SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts) Hub, you’ll collaborate with academic colleagues, external partners, and professional services to deliver strategic research and innovation goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and profile funding and collaboration opportunities across public, private, and charitable sectors.
• Support the development of new partnerships and research proposals.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and facilitate cross-functional initiatives.
• Maintain oversight of research and innovation projects, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Organise and support events, funder visits, and training workshops.

About You

• Experience in research, innovation, knowledge exchange, or partnership development, particularly in any of the health, well-being and clinical sciences disciplines.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• A collaborative mindset and ability to work across disciplines.

This role is ideal for someone looking to develop a career in research and partnership development within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

With huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification .

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process.

We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Closing Date: Friday 18 th September

Interview Date: Wednesday 30 th September

Our Benefits

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.