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Overview

An exciting opportunity for a Research and Business Engagement Lead exists within the Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Sheffield.

The Henry Royce Institute is the UK’s national centre for advanced materials research, innovation and commercialisation. The Royce works collaboratively with industry and academia to accelerate the innovation of materials systems in order to create economic and societal benefit. With its hub at the University of Manchester, the Institute has spokes at eight partner institutions: the Universities of Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College London, and the UK Atomic Energy Authority and National Nuclear Laboratory. The £235m institute will allow the UK to grow its world-leading research and innovation base in advanced materials science, an area which is fundamental to all industrial sectors and the national economy.

The Royce champions nine research areas coordinated through a hub and spoke model. Working closely with the academic Research Area Leads, the Research and Business Engagement (RBE) Lead will have direct responsibility for leading business engagement activities for Modelling and Simulation, Materials 4.0 and Materials informatics and will support other research areas as required. As part of an integrated team, the RBE Lead will coordinate closely with equivalent functions at Royce Partner institutions to ensure a coherent approach to delivering successful business engagement outcomes.

Working to the Research Area Leads (Sheffield, Imperial, Manchester) and the Hub’s Head of Business Engagement (HoBE), the RBE Lead will proactively identify, approach and engage with companies, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and other research-focused organisations to help drive commercial exploitation of innovations in advanced materials and to win business through collaborations. The RBE Lead has a crucial role in driving the strategic development, management and delivery of business engagement activities including establishing and coordinating national research area community networks, and identifying and delivering facilities access models for business across the UK.

The successful candidate, a self-starter, will have experience in a HEI (or related) setting of developing strategic approaches to business engagement. By developing and deploying a strong understanding of the research area and the Royce’s digital capabilities, they will be able to build relationships with, and between, academics and businesses (from SMEs to large multinationals), identifying their needs to agree projects for delivering commercial services.

Main duties and responsibilities

The Royce is an evolving, dynamic organisation and the appointee will therefore be expected to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to meet its developing needs. The indicative range of duties is expected to include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Work closely with the Research Area Leads (RALs), other academic, technical and professional services staff to develop fully costed and approved technical and commercial proposals on how research areas might be used to create innovative technologies, products, services and solutions and then convert these into projects for delivery.
• Develop, nurture and manage relationships with a range of third parties to support effective, compelling and meaningful visibility to companies. Manage internal and external business relationships, provide an accessible initial contact point, and facilitate interaction with relevant individuals and academic staff.
• Lead engagement with SMEs and larger companies, supporting access to Royce facilities and skills to deliver commercial and grant-funded contracts.
• Be responsible for achieving targets for winning suitable business with industry through the management of a robust pipeline of opportunities.
• Work closely with academic and technical colleagues to ensure a clear, transparent and auditable handover once new business is won and then to ensure key customer relationships are maintained throughout the project delivery.
• Lead the development and coordination of Research Area networks (industry, academia and third parties) working with the RALs across the Royce Partners and beyond.
• Support the RALs in the identification of opportunities for workforce development and the delivery of said interventions such as seminars, deep-dives (sandpits) and workshops.
• Represent the RALs as required, leading activities on their behalf.
• Lead business development activities  in conjunction with the national Business Engagement Team, contributing to the effective integration of activities across the Royce partnership.
• Review and develop the business engagement strategy on an on-going basis with the aim to grow and maintain awareness, interest, and engagement with the institute.
• Provide high level strategic  advice and support to the Royce on wider external engagement strategies.
• Engage with Customer Relationship Management systems and structures around all communication and interactions with industry, partners and third parties.
• Promote awareness of the facilities and capability of the Royce to relevant third parties and, as an ambassador, enhance its reputation regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Attend exhibitions, meetings and other events locally, regionally, nationally and internationally as required to represent and promote the Royce.
• Undertake the above duties in accordance with the requirements of the University’s equality & diversity policy, health & safety policy, and its financial regulations. Maintain confidentiality of information in line with data protection requirements and University policy.
• Contribute to the University’s agenda for social responsibility, including sustainability.
• Engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities.
• Assist the RALs and HoBE in other aspects of the project, as required.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in July 2025. This will consist of a panel interview and a short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Amanda Temple at cmbe-postaward@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways / Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.