Licensing & Ventures Associate - Life Sciences in Oxford

Are you passionate about creating global impact from world leading University research? Would you like to join a supportive team of outstanding people who help bring great Oxford ideas to life? Do you have a technical or commercial background in any of the life sciences?

With one foot in academia and the other in industry, Oxford University Innovation (OUI) undertakes a wide variety of activities. From licensing University inventions and finding investment for spinout companies to setting up social enterprises and supporting student entrepreneurship. Innovation is the magic behind the scenes that turns ideas born in Oxford University into technologies and new ventures that create positive and transformative economic and societal impact in the wider world.

The Opportunity:

The successful candidate will join a talented and supportive team within our Licensing & Ventures Group and will focus on assisting the commercialisation of technologies arising from across the University, primarily from the Medical Sciences and Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Divisions. The Licensing & Ventures Associate will obtain a broad introduction into technology transfer activities including an understanding of licensing intellectual property.

The key responsibilities of the role are:

• Undertaking market research and analysis to enable commercially viable deals to be completed.
• Supporting project managers by marketing technologies to potential end-users in industry and helping to create compelling business cases for spin-out companies.
• Managing project administration and supporting the Licensing & Ventures Managers in project work.

About you:

The successful candidate will have an upper second-class degree (or equivalent), or higher in a life science area and demonstrate a passion for science, innovation and experience in the pharmaceutical, life science, medical, biotech, or digital health sectors. They will also possess enthusiasm, positivity, and an appetite for learning and personal development alongside a desire to achieve results. Post-graduate qualifications in fields such as life or medical sciences, intellectual property or marketing/sales would be desirable.

The successful candidate will also need to demonstrate:

• The ability to grasp challenging technical concepts quickly.
• Degree qualified (ideally 2.1 or 1st class honours) in a Life Science related field, with a Masters degree or PhD being beneficial, but not essential.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship management and team working skills, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Working successfully and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organisational skills that allow effective management and prioritisation of a wide range of tasks within a process-driven environment.
• Making considered recommendations that demonstrate sound judgement and good analysis.
• Listening effectively to colleagues and stakeholders, learning quickly, accepting constructive feedback and putting it into practice.

How to apply:

If you are interested in applying for this role, please download the Application Form from the OUI website careers page and send together with a copy of your CV and covering letter (quoting Ref No. 287 and your preferred pronouns) to Roy Bennett at roy@adlib-recruitment.co.uk.

Information about the benefits and working life at OUI can be found here https://innovation.ox.ac.uk/about/careers/. Feel free also to contact Roy via his email if you have any queries before applying.

The closing date is midday on Thursday 11th June 2026.

Salary for this role is £36,000 per annum on a fixed term contract to 30th April 2027 with excellent pro rata benefits including 30 days holiday & 8 bank holidays, rewards scheme, career opportunities, generous pension, private medical insurance and 50/50 hybrid working.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Oxford University Innovation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a supportive working, learning and social environment, in which the rights and dignity of all its staff are respected, and where everyone is able to be themselves and is empowered to reach their full potential. This commitment is linked to and reinforces the OUI values of integrity, collaboration and empowerment. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. OUI is accredited with the Investors in People Silver status.

Our approach to hybrid and flexible working:

We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to attracting and retaining the very best talent. We also appreciate that the UK workforce is becoming increasingly diverse and includes a high percentage of parents and individuals with caring responsibilities, as well as those whose interests and aspirations impact on their time.

We recognise the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home lives by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their work commitments with other priorities. This includes hybrid working and flexible working. OUI is accredited with the Investors in People Silver status.