Head of Translation and Innovation Infrastructure Swindon, Wiltshire, South West England, England
Job description
Head of Translation and Innovation Infrastructure
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Salary: £50,702.00 per annum
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Closing Date: 9th July 2023
Interview Date: 25 & 26 July
About the role:
As the Head of Translation and Innovation Infrastructure you will be a senior leader within the BBSRC Capability and Innovation Domain (CID), playing a lead role in championing, developing and delivering the BBSRC vision, investments and approach to supporting innovation from bioscience research to make a real, positive difference for the UK and beyond.
As Head of Translation and Innovation Infrastructure, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of the BBSRC Translation Strategy to ensure BBSRC effectively drives the development of real-world value from investments in bioscience research and capability, building on the current portfolio of interventions to ensure the funding support for bioscience innovation is optimal.
- Work with UKRI colleagues to integrate and oversee the delivery of BBSRC translation activities within the UKRI Commercialisation Programme, ensuring the needs of bioscience innovation are effectively supported.
- Lead the development and delivery of BBSRC’s Strategy for Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation at institutes strategically funded by BBSRC.
- Work with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement the BBSRC Research and Innovation Campus Strategy to build on and expand bioscience “clusters” across the UK.
- Develop the Translation and Innovation Infrastructure team, ensuring the strategic portfolio areas have the appropriate expertise and capability to support bioscience communities.
- Provide insight on innovation trends and manage the monitoring, evaluation and benefits realisation implementation for BBSRC translation and innovation infrastructure areas.
- Strategically engage with relevant external stakeholders, including policy makers, technology transfer offices, innovation leaders and senior colleagues across UKRI to assist in developing the most effective environment for bioscience innovation.
- Ensure translation and innovation capability is fully integrated in BBSRC activities through contributing/collaborating at senior levels across key internal interfaces and teams.
- Contribute to the leadership of CID as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and deputise as/when necessary for the Associate Director (AD) – Innovation in order to support BBSRC in developing, delivering and championing its vision, investments and approach to supporting innovation from bioscience research to make a real and positive difference for the UK and beyond.
Shortlisting and Interview criteria
- Significant experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic translation/enterprise programmes, activities and/or investments either across the biosciences and/or more broadly, to successfully drive the creation of value from research.
- Track record of leadership and team management, or a proven ability to motivate, empower and inspire others to work effectively to deliver personal, team and corporate objectives.
- Demonstrable experience and understanding of the approaches to support emerging innovations and technologies arising from academia, to create new products, services or policies.
- Proven ability to be innovative in leading the development and implementation of new ideas and approaches that positively challenge established thinking in yourself and others, and effectively supporting your ideas with evidence.
- Knowledge of strategic communication frameworks and approaches, and/or experience in developing and delivering effective, strategic communications to a mixture of audiences.
- Ability to establish influential, strategic relationships and networks with a wide range of stakeholders at a senior level and harness them to deliver value.
- Hold a degree in a biological (or related) subject and/or equivalent relevant professional experience.
About The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
The BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. We are the UK's largest public funder of research of the non-medical biosciences. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. The research and the people that we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact, see: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes, see https://bbsrc.ukri.org/research/institutes/strategically-funded-institutes/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
