← Back to Careers

Academic Engagement Officer

The role of the Academic Engagement Officer is to work closely with academia and CGT Catapult’s internal expertise to secure funding to deliver impactful collaborative projects. This role will establish close relationships and an understanding of academic capabilities and research to identify new opportunities to collaborate and support the translation of novel cell and gene therapies and to develop innovative solutions for the industry. The Academic Engagement Officer will maintain a pro-active approach to identifying and applying for funding from various sources.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Build relationships with UK and International academic communities.
  • Build close working relationships with UK Technology Transfer Offices.
  • Identify and secure grant funded (e.g. Wellcome Trust, MRC, BBSRC, Innovate UK etc.) projects with academics.
  • Work closely with the CGT Catapult operational teams to build new partner relationships and strengthen existing partnerships.
  • Analyse the Cell and Gene Therapy academic research to identify new technologies and opportunities.

Experience:

  • Experience of technology transfer in an academic or innovative environment.
  • Experience of securing grant supported R&D collaborations.
  • The intellectual interest and experience to interact with academic communities and the biotech industry.
  • Experience in key account and customer relationship management.

Knowledge / Skills / Competencies:

  • Highly motivated, pragmatic and practical to support the mission of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to accelerate the development of the cell and gene-based therapy industry in the UK.
  • Desire to establish a high-profile career within the cell and gene sector and the personal drive to help push the sector to be a success.
  • Working knowledge of the UK and European grants e.g. Innovate UK, Wellcome Trust, Horizon 2020.
  • High level interpersonal, communication (oral and written) skills.
  • Resilient, with the ability to manage multiple and varied tasks and prioritise workload within a fast-paced professional environment, with a strong attention to detail.
  • Project ownership and pride in its delivery.
  • Ability to work well under pressure, to work independently and to be able to take the initiative when completing tasks.
  • Ambitious, collaborative, driven.
  • Accurate with strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to quickly establish credibility and build rapport and trust.
  • Proven ability to engage constructively with colleagues at all levels across different departments to deliver objectives and to respond to a wide range of customer and management needs.
  • Proven diplomacy skills with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.
  • High degree of motivation, problem solving skills and innovative thinking.
  • Good external facing skills and ability to build relationships essential.
  • Good public speaker with strong external and internal scientific credibility.
  • Sincere and secure - accepts own mistakes - prioritises team over personal goals.
  • Be able to deliver strategic aims, goals, and targets as well as financial governance and funding proposals scrutinised by government.
  • Understands innovation and the impact of disruptive technologies as well as drivers of change and new ways of working across industry, processes, people, and culture.
  • Strong influencing and leadership skills. Understands influencing, stakeholder management and negotiation strategies.
  • A positive attitude towards learning, personal and professional development.
  • Keeps up to date with professional knowledge, expertise and best practice.
  • Willingness to travel.

Education / Qualifications:

  • BSc hons in a relevant life science.
  • MSc / PhD / DPhil would be preferred but not necessary.