Business Development Manager

UCD; Ireland; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

UCD's Rinn Energy Research Centre seeks a Business Development Manager to build industry partnerships and drive engagement with academics and industry. The role focuses on identifying new members, projects and training opportunities while aligning capabilities with industry requirements.

The successful candidate develops funded and co-funded collaborative research projects, with success measured by increased industry investment in the centre.

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Engineering, Business, Environmental Science).
• Postgraduate qualification in energy systems, engineering, science, social sciences, or in business/management.
• Proven track record in securing funding for research and innovation.
• Strong networking and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience building industry partnerships and collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategy for industry engagement to leverage funding schemes.
• Generate research income from industry by establishing collaborative programmes.
• Act as a key contact between UCD and partner institutions for collaboration.
• Promote commercialisation of Centre research and liaise with innovation units.
• Support preparation of proposals to national and international funding agencies.

Skills

Networking

Leadership

Fundraising

Proposal writing

Stakeholder management

Industry engagement

Time management

Education

Honours degree in a relevant discipline

Postgraduate qualification in energy/engineering/science/business

Job description

Organisation/Company UCD Department Rinn Energy Research Field All Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Other Profession Positions Other Positions Application Deadline 23 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin) Country Ireland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Rinn Energy is a national, co-led research centre funded by Research Ireland (Taighde Éireann), bringing together a consortium of leading universities and partners to deliver internationally leading, interdisciplinary research to support the transition to a low-carbon, secure, and resilient energy system.

The Centre seeks to appoint a Business Development Manager (BDM) to successfully build collaborative research relationships between our world-leading academics and industry. The role requires identifying new industry members, projects, and training opportunities while maintaining a significant understanding of academic capabilities and industry requirements.

The successful candidate will develop a portfolio of fully funded and cofunded collaborative research projects, with success measured directly by increased industry investment in the centre.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with Centre Directors, develop and implement a strategy for industry engagement to leverage National and European funding schemes.
• Generate research income from industry to agreed targets by establishing collaborative research programmes with partner companies.
• Act as a key point of contact between UCD and partner institutions, facilitating collaboration across academic, industry, and policy stakeholders.
• Promote the commercialisation of Centre research and liaise with technology innovation units to support the translation of research outputs into impact.
• Support the preparation of complex proposals to national and international funding agencies for industry engagements.
• Act as a technology scout to engage scientific experts and international centres of excellence to enhance scientific capabilities.
• Support the delivery and monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure timely reporting to Research Ireland and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Centre at national and international meetings and events to enhance its profile.
• Undertake additional duties as required by the Centre co-Directors.
• An Honours Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Engineering, Business, Environmental Science).
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in a business or research setting, managing innovation in multifunctional teams.
• Proven leadership ability with a track record of winning the confidence of stakeholders spanning Academia, Government, and Industry.
• Ability to demonstrate a track record in securing funding for research and innovation, including writing successful funding applications involving industry-related research.
• Strong networking and consultative skills, with an ability to grow relationships based on delivering value to all customers.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines while working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Candidates must demonstrate how they can positively contribute to fostering an inclusive environment and a level of awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline (energy systems, engineering, science, social sciences, or a related field) or in business/management.
• Experience working within a national research centre or large-scale research consortium.
• Knowledge of the energy decarbonisation landscape.
• Experience supporting research translation, innovation, or commercialisation activities.

E0.94, Ground Floor, UCD Energy Institute, O'Brien Science Centre - East