At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external research collaborations and secure funding to accelerate quantum technology.
- Company: OQC is pioneering quantum computing with a bold innovation culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, unique lab access, and a vibrant work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant impact in a high-growth tech environment.
- Why this job: Join a world-class team shaping the future of computation.
- Qualifications: Experience in research partnerships and a background in quantum technologies.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
At OQC, we aren't just theorising about the future; we're building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we've successfully transitioned quantum computing from an academic dream into a commercial reality. The most exciting thing is that we're just getting started and we've recently closed our £260 million Series C funding round - the largest fundraise ever completed by a quantum computing company in Europe.
As External Research and Collaborations Director, you will shape and lead OQC's external research ecosystem, turning scientific collaboration opportunities into funded, strategically aligned programmes that accelerate our technology roadmap. Working closely with our Founder and senior leadership team, you'll build high-impact partnerships that strengthen OQC's scientific influence, unlock funding opportunities, and support long term business growth.
The Role
You will own OQC's approach to research partnerships, grant funding, and external collaborations, ensuring that scientific priorities are translated into well governed, executable programmes that deliver meaningful technical and commercial outcomes.
What You’ll Be Working On
- Defining and executing OQC's external research and collaboration strategy across universities, research institutions, funding bodies, industry partners, and the wider quantum ecosystem.
- Identifying, prioritising, and securing strategic grant funding opportunities aligned with OQC's technical roadmap and business objectives.
- Leading end to end delivery of grant applications and funded programmes, coordinating stakeholders, budgets, governance, reporting, and partner engagement.
- Building and maintaining senior relationships with academic, research, industry, and funding organisations to create high value collaboration opportunities.
- Partnering with Science and Innovation leadership to drive research prioritisation, funding strategy, budget planning, and resource allocation.
- Ensuring collaboration programmes are delivered effectively, proactively managing risks, dependencies, governance requirements, and stakeholder expectations.
- Driving cross functional alignment across Science, Engineering, Product, Finance, Legal, Commercial, and People teams to maximise collaboration success and business impact.
What We’re Looking For
- Significant experience leading complex external research collaborations, strategic partnerships, grant funded programmes, or equivalent scientific initiatives.
- Strong background within quantum technologies, quantum computing, quantum hardware, physics, engineering, or another deep tech environment.
- Proven ability to influence senior scientific, technical, commercial, and operational stakeholders in complex and ambiguous environments.
- Experience managing relationships with universities, research institutions, funding bodies, industry partners, or comparable organisations.
- Demonstrated success delivering complex programmes against milestones, budgets, governance frameworks, and reporting requirements.
- Experience contributing to business planning, strategic prioritisation, budget forecasting, and resource planning within technical or scientific organisations.
- Excellent ability to translate complex scientific and technical concepts into clear proposals, plans, decisions, and stakeholder communications.
- Degree in Physics, Engineering, Quantum Technology, Computer Science, or a related scientific discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Expertise in strategic planning, grant development, programme management, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and technical proposal development.
Nice to Haves
- Experience securing or managing significant grant funding through organisations such as UKRI, Innovate UK, Horizon Europe, EPSRC, or similar funding bodies.
- Experience within a scale up, commercial R&D, or high growth technology environment.
- Background in shaping research strategy alongside academic or industry collaborators.
- Exposure to intellectual property management, collaboration agreements, and research governance.
- Experience leading teams, matrix organisations, or cross functional delivery groups.
- PhD, MSc, or equivalent research experience in quantum physics, quantum computing, superconducting circuits, engineering, or a related field.
- Knowledge of partnership governance, research commercialisation, change leadership, data analysis, and talent planning.
Why Join OQC
You will join a world class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.
External Research and Collaborations Director employer: Job Search Place Limited
At OQC, we pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of quantum computing innovation, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive culture and access to unique lab infrastructure, enabling you to make a tangible impact in a rapidly evolving field. Join us and be part of a world-class team where your contributions will help shape the future of technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land External Research and Collaborations Director
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✨Use Your University’s Resources
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We think you need these skills to ace External Research and Collaborations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
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How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
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In an Innovation R&D Management role at Job Search Place Limited, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
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