Innovation Associate

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here  
 

The Role and Department

Following the success of Newcastle University’s Arrow programme , the model is now being rolled-out across the four regional universities, expanding the projects offer to business across the region. To enable this expansion, Durham University is seeking to recruit Innovation Associates to work on the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funded Arrow innovation support programme. 

This post is fixed term with a start date from 1st August 2024 until 31st March 2025. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st August 2024.

Through the work of a network of Business Development Managers located in the four institutions, the Arrow model aims to provide a catalyst function identifying and linking innovative businesses to specialist Innovation Associates within academic departments who can help them to undertake collaborative research and innovation activities, supported by funding.

Working in the Arrow team, the successful candidate will co-ordinate, project manage and deliver a portfolio of collaborations between Durham University, businesses, and external partners. The candidate will have a key role in helping to develop and support North East-based businesses to develop and commercialise new products and services, which will help the University to develop a pipeline of projects with regional businesses and contribute to raising the innovation and economic potential of businesses in the region.

IA’s responsibilities on a day-to-day basis include:

• Acting as the main point of contact for all parties involved (academics, researchers and commercial staff) in an allocated portfolio of short tasked based projects, co-developed around the client’s needs.
• Delivering bespoke collaborative research & innovation support activities for regional businesses, this can include:

o   designing the project plan, with guidance from the academics and the company

o   conducting literature reviews,

o   conducting primary/secondary research,

o   performing laboratory experiments,

o   facilitating consultations

o   co-ordinating the collaboration between relevant academics at North-East Universities and company representatives

o   carrying out data analysis and report writing.

Candidates will have (or be working towards) a postgraduate degree (ideally PhD) preferably in the sectors:  Green Energy /Data Sciences. Additionally, previous experience of developing and delivering short term research and innovation projects related to new product development or emerging technologies would be useful. Experience of working in or with industry would also be advantageous.

The Arrow project is part of the larger regional In-TUNE programme, which is part-funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the North of Tyne Combined Authority and is now administered by the North East Combined Authority.

In -TUNE is a collaborative regional project led by Durham University in partnership with Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland Universities and CPI to deliver targeted innovation and commercialisation support across the North of Tyne and Durham areas supporting business productivity, innovation and spin-out formation. The project builds on the proven success of the Northern Accelerator and Arrow programmes enhancing the available support, widening the partnership and enabling access across the available geographies.

Lead responsibility for the Arrow Project at Durham University lies with the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) team. The post holder will report to the Head of the Economic Development Team and will be a member of the Commercialisation and Economic Development group, whose remit is to drive spinout creation, licensing activity and major economic development projects and strategic relationships.

The RIS Team provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development. 

The Economic Development team within the RIS directorate works with external organisations and our academic colleagues to facilitate the creation of new research and commercial opportunities and to ensure that Durham University’s research is world-changing with local, regional, and global impact and reach.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality,  diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

10. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.

11.Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

12.Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

13. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.  

     
Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of working with small to medium enterprises.

2. Experience of developing and delivering short term research and innovation projects.

3. Experience of experimental work, data analysis and lab techniques.

How to Apply   

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.   
  
Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
  
What you need to submit   

•    A CV
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.    

Contact details   
  
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Karl Gardiner [email protected]  in the research and Innovation Services Team. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Typical Role Requirements   

Service Delivery/Development

•    Expected to work flexibly with academics, researchers and commercial staff to deliver business and innovation support and collaborative activities for SMEs. This could include project scoping, assessing needs, conducting literature reviews, conducting primary/secondary research, facilitating consultations and supporting project team staff to analyse and make sense of the knowledge from various sources to provide meaningful insight directly supporting the aspirations of the SME. Projects typically last between a few days up to circa 1 month.

•    Act as the main point of contact for all parties involved in an allocated portfolio of projects on a day-to-day basis by continuous communication with client project staff, investigators, clinical study teams, internal and external collaborators

•    Responsible for the effective management of project plans; ensuring projects hit decision gateways and other identified milestones.  Identifying and resolving any potential issues in meeting these milestones

•    Organise regular project update meetings, maintaining appropriate communication with all stakeholders

•    Organise, prepare documentation for, attend and write minutes for meetings of the individual projects

•    Prepare regular reports and presentations for the Programme Manager

•    Prepare for, and facilitate any audits, inspections and client meetings

•    Develop case study information for all managed projects

•    Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

•    Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations.

•    Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.

•    Manage the delivery of [specified services and processes] across the University to a high standard.

•    Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from [staff, students and others who you work with] and contribute to ideas and service improvements.

•    Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.

•    Look for ways to improve [processes, techniques and outputs/results] across all areas of your work.

•    Identify any learning needs that should be met by [the service] and design activities and arrange any training.

Planning and Organisation
•    Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by [your area].

•    Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your [Service, School and/or Department].

•    Seek feedback from [staff, students and other key stakeholders] so that [the service] is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.

•    Analyse data on the level of service being provided by [your area] to recommend areas for future improvement.

•    Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.

•    Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Communication/Liaison
•    Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.

•    Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

•    Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.

•    Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.

•    Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.

•    Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

•    Any other reasonable duties.

Specific role requirements

•     Ability to travel regionally. 

SECONDMENT

If an internal member of staff is appointed to this role on a secondment basis, for pension purposes this will be processed in line with Step-Up arrangements.  For further details please click here.

 
  
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.