Description Role: IP & Commercialisation Executive Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £36,924 - £46,485 per annum FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday - Friday Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) The GRID Heriot-Watt University Fascinated by the future and captivated by technology and innovation? Want to work with a diverse range of organisations and help them explore the art of the possible? We are embarking on a number of flagship innovation investments – in total we are investing over £50M over the next 5 years in these new global initiatives, and we aim to work with selected partners to leverage this further, transforming lives with technology and creating opportunities for all. The GRID at Heriot-Watt has many dimensions. It’s a place for learning, a way of thinking and a catalyst for collaboration. GRID brings together global expertise to tackle current industry challenges whilst pioneering innovation to drive our future economies and companies of scale. However, it is people that matter, and we are creating great spaces where creative and brilliant minds are encouraged to share ideas and explore new concepts – tapping into world class academic resource to stay at the forefront of rapidly changing technology trends. Through The GRID, HWU is revolutionising the means of learning. Innovation, discovery and entrepreneurship are being placed at the core of learning. The GRID connects our leading academics, international corporations, high growth technology companies and our research partners to build better products and services for future global markets. Purpose of Role Within the Business and Enterprise Directorate, the Commercialisation Team has a broad remit which includes evaluating technology opportunities emerging from the University’s extensive research base, assessing the commercial value of technology opportunities in international markets, devising and recommending optimal exploitation strategies, managing the University’s patent portfolio and leading the University’s deals with international corporations, high growth technology companies and new spin-out businesses to commercialise technology opportunities. The post is continuous. Business and Enterprise forms a key area of development for Heriot-Watt University, is a key focus of the Scottish technology ecosystem review and a major component of the Scottish Funding Council University Innovation Fund. The University has a strong track record of industry collaboration, technology licensing and creating new enterprises that exploit its research outcomes. Business and Enterprise supports the University’s strategies through delivery of a wide range of Knowledge Exchange, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship activities that create real impact and value for industry, society and for the University itself. For academic researchers, students, collaborators or knowledge transfer partners, the Enterprise team provides professional advice and assistance on: Commercialisation and working with industry Knowledge exchange and technology licensing Research commercialisation and IP management Spin-out / start-up support and creation Key Duties & Responsibilities Working with the IP Manager, the post-holder will: Support the development of technology opportunities across the five campuses of Heriot-Watt University – Edinburgh, Galashiels, Orkney, Dubai (UAE) and X (Malaysia). Promote technology opportunities for staff and students across the University and interact with key stakeholders including University departments, research groups, spin-out teams and external stakeholders such as research funders, industry partners and government agencies. Evaluate nascent technology opportunities emerging from the University’s research base to assess commercial potential, competing solutions and optimal exploitation strategies. Support new industry-led innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives that may lead to the exploitation of the University’s technology opportunities Support the management of the IP Portfolio, including patent decisions and drafting patent applications. Participate in networks of innovation and enterprise support activities in Scotland, Dubai, and Malaysia. Support the University in leveraging appropriate funding to support technology development, company creation and enterprise activity. Support colleagues in collating KPI data that exemplifies the University delivery of Business and Enterprise activities. Assist the Chief Entrepreneurial Executive, Head of Commercialisation and IP Manager to deliver strategic initiatives to further enterprise and entrepreneurship developments across the university. Other duties as specified by the Chief Entrepreneurial Executive, Head of Commercialisation and IP Manager to support delivery of wider commercial objectives. Education, Qualifications and Experience Essential Experience Commercial experience, operating in an innovation-centred environment Good working understanding of intellectual property and its value to businesses Good first degree in a Science, Engineering or Business-related subject Essential Skills Strong analytical skills and knowledge of sources of business, market and technology information and data Ability to understand complex ideas and help articulate them into a coherent value proposition Strong communication skills, both written and verbal Ability to set and meet joint objectives and deadlines Strong attention to detail Ability to plan workload and prioritise effectively A good understanding of and the ability to use a range of software applications and services (CRM word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, PowerPoint). Desirable Skills The ability to provide clear reports and advice for the different senior stakeholders within the innovation and academic ecosystems Experience of drafting invention disclosures and non-confidential technology summaries A sound working knowledge of business contracts and experience working with legal professionals and patent attorneys Experience of the patenting process Strong public speaker with experience of delivering training and workshops Knowledge of the innovation ecosystem including sources of funding and investment, and experience of drafting submissions How to Apply Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Friday 06 December 2024. Please submit your CV via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options. Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.