About this role
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and grow research commercialisation at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).
As Research Commercialisation Manager, you will help researchers recognise the commercial potential of their ideas and support promising opportunities as they move through the translational pathway. You will combine commercial judgement with a collaborative, human-centred approach that helps colleagues navigate complex, often uncertain decisions and build their capacity to recognise and pursue innovative ideas.
You will lead the growth and management of the university’s research commercialisation portfolio, including the university’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio. Working with researchers, senior research and innovation leaders, professional services colleagues, external partners, investors and specialist advisers, you will:
- Identify and assess commercially promising research and innovation;
- Help develop credible commercial propositions and routes to market;
- Support the protection and effective management of intellectual property;
- Lead and support licensing, negotiation and deal-making;
- Build external relationships that create opportunities for UWE research;
- Help foster an entrepreneurial culture;
- Strengthen the University’s commercialisation processes, networks and capability
The role sits within UWE Bristol’s Research and External Engagement professional service and it works closely with the Impact and Commercialisation Team who are responsible for developing and managing portfolios of impact activity, including impact derived through commercial opportunities. This team delivers support to projects to expand the reach and significance of the university’s research and innovation activities.
This is an exciting time to join the university as there is a strong ambition to grow this portfolio and increasingly more opportunities for support as the UK Government seeks to spin-out more university-based research. In this role, you will be able to influence how commercialisation is understood and supported across the University and help build an inclusive culture in which researchers from different disciplines and career stages feel able and supported to explore the potential of their ideas.
About you
You will bring commercial judgement, curiosity and the ability to build confidence and momentum around early-stage opportunities.
You may already work in university commercialisation or technology transfer, or you may bring relevant experience from industry, investment, innovation consultancy, research and development, intellectual property, licensing or venture development. You have an ability to understand complex ideas, assess their potential and help people make sound commercial decisions. You think broadly in terms of commercialisation, thinking creatively and making connections to translate research and innovation into societal impact.
You will be someone who enjoys working collaboratively and is comfortable operating where the answers are not always immediately clear. You will be able to prioritise a demanding workload. You will be a supportive colleague who is confident to challenge constructively and able to know when to progress, reshape or stop an opportunity.
You will have a strong network or be capable of developing one.
You will embody the university’s values, including being ambitious, enterprising, innovative, collaborative and inclusive in the way you work.
Where you will be working
UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.
In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.
You’ll spend most of your time on campus, typically 3 days per week with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.
We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.
Add your individuality to ours
UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.
We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision‑making, and problem‑solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.
We particularly encourage applications from global majority and male candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.
As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.
Further information
If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Nicola Temple on email: Nicola.Temple@uwe.ac.uk
This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term post, working 37 hours per week.
This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.
Salary offers are made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.
Right to Work in the UK
If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist.
Candidates without current Right to Work who are not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship or another Global Talent visa route, may wish to look into the Global Talent Peer Review route. This is a self-application process and is subject to you meeting qualifying criteria.
You may also wish to explore other visa options which will allow you to work in the UK.
Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.
Next Steps
We’d love to hear from you - if this role excites you, please complete our application form as soon as possible and tell us how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification, using clear and relevant examples wherever possible.
We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.
