At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead R&D programmes and drive innovation in advanced materials for energy storage.
- Company: A growing tech company focused on next-gen materials and commercialisation.
- Benefits: Lead in a high-growth environment with strong influence on product development.
- Other info: Collaborative, international team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of energy storage technologies and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in relevant scientific or engineering fields.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A growing technology company focused on advanced materials for energy storage applications is seeking an R&D Manager to lead and develop its research programmes. This organisation is working on next-generation materials, supporting innovation across areas such as graphite, silicon and related technologies. With a strong emphasis on commercialisation, they operate across the full development lifecycle from early-stage research through to product scale-up.
This is a key leadership role, responsible for shaping R&D strategy, managing programmes and driving innovation into real-world products. You will lead R&D activities, ensuring projects are delivered effectively while aligning innovation with commercial goals.
Key responsibilities:- Lead and manage internal and external R&D programmes, ensuring delivery to time and budget
- Identify new research opportunities aligned with market needs and business strategy
- Support product development and commercialisation of existing and new materials
- Oversee R&D funding activities, including identifying opportunities and managing funded projects
- Build and manage relationships with external partners, collaborators and suppliers
- Ensure R&D activities meet quality standards and continuous improvement targets
- Develop in-house testing capabilities and expand technical expertise within the team
- Drive innovation and contribute to intellectual property generation and strategy
- Communicate technical findings clearly across engineering, commercial and leadership teams
- Represent the business externally at customer meetings, conferences and industry events
- Provide leadership to R&D teams, including budget management and performance tracking
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline
- Proven experience managing R&D teams and programmes in an industrial environment
- Strong background in advanced materials, energy storage or related technologies
- Experience delivering research projects through to product development and scale-up
- Knowledge of electrochemical testing and materials characterisation methods
- Familiarity with IP processes and innovation management
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Excellent communication skills, both technical and commercial
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to engage cross-functionally and externally
- Opportunity to lead R&D within a high-growth, innovation-driven environment
- Involvement in cutting-edge materials and energy storage technologies
- Strong scope to influence product development and business direction
- Collaborative, international working environment
Sounds good, how do I apply?
Option 1: Click the apply button, don’t worry if you don’t have an up-to-date CV, we can discuss whatever you have to hand.
Option 2: Find Morgan Veness on LinkedIn and drop me a message or connection request.
Research And Development Manager in Cheltenham employer: Nicholas Associates
Join a dynamic technology company at the forefront of advanced materials for energy storage, where you will lead innovative R&D programmes in a collaborative and international environment. With a strong focus on commercialisation and product development, this role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and the chance to influence cutting-edge technologies that shape the future. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values creativity and teamwork, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research And Development Manager in Cheltenham
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Nicholas Associates.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Nicholas Associates.
We think you need these skills to ace Research And Development Manager in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Nicholas Associates that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Nicholas Associates and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nicholas Associates
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Nicholas Associates, 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.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Nicholas Associates that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Nicholas Associates, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
