At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative AI projects in materials chemistry and foster industry partnerships.
- Company: The University of Liverpool, a leader in AI and materials research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of AI in materials and drive economic growth.
- Qualifications: Strong project management skills and experience in industry collaboration.
The University of Liverpool has established a new AI Materials Hub for Innovation (AIM-HI) to position the University, and the wider UK, as a global leader in the large-scale application of AI and automation to materials chemistry. This encompasses areas including catalysts, advanced energy materials for net-zero, soft-matter, and product formulation in fast moving consumer goods. AIM-HI will maintain our international science leadership in AI for materials but importantly translate that leadership into industry for economic growth and societal benefit.
Following recent £15M funding from the UKRI Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF), AIM-HI - LIPF will create a high growth economic cluster in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) to support businesses at all scales from start-ups and SMEs to large multinationals.
AIM-HI - LIPF will:
- Co-create Open Innovation Platforms with companies to make leading edge AI technologies available for use by chemistry and materials SMEs and larger companies in their R&D activities.
- Deliver an 'AI for Materials Chemistry' talent development programme to upskill staff in SMEs and other companies across LCR and deliver outreach to school students across LCR.
- Deliver bespoke incubator and accelerator programmes to support the growth of AI materials chemistry spin-outs, start-ups and SMEs in LCR.
The Programme Director will be responsible for providing leadership and overall management and coordination of the programme ensuring a successful outcome. This will include working to develop individual platforms and projects within AIM-HI to support existing relationships and drive new industry partnerships and income generation, managing the delivery team for the project, coordinating oversight and governance boards, monitoring project performance and reporting progress to key stakeholders and funders.
Reporting to the new role of Commercial Director (Materials) in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and working in partnership with the Programme Academic Leads, Dean of School of Physical Sciences, Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) Academic Director and Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation, you will be required to ensure delivery of agreed goals and KPIs for commercial income and growth of industry partner opportunities.
You will provide leadership, deploying your expertise on industry collaboration and partnerships to maximise the income and reputation of our materials research. You will interface with a range of senior academics to support the development and success of the project and ensure alignment between academic capabilities and needs of the commercial and regional partners. Working collaboratively with existing institutional teams responsible for Partnerships and Enterprise will be a crucial part of this role.
You will be an excellent communicator with outstanding project management skills, and the ability to identify and realise new partnership opportunities. The role holder will have excellent understanding of the research and innovation landscape and direct experience of the interface between the public and business worlds and experience of establishing, maintaining and participating in strategic partnerships and collaborations.
Ability to work in a matrix management system across a range of professional services and academic research groups across the University, ensuring consistent and collaborative approach will be essential to the success of this role.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to enhancing a workforce as diverse as our community and particularly encourage applicants who are of minoritised genders and ethnic backgrounds, living with a disability, and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
£61,759 to £75,917 per annum
Local Innovation Partnership Fund Programme Director in Liverpool employer: University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool Management School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work environment in the culturally rich city of Liverpool. With a strong commitment to research excellence and student experience, employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture that values diversity and innovation. The School's state-of-the-art facilities and ambitious strategic vision for 2031 further enhance its appeal as a leading institution for those passionate about organisational psychology and management education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Local Innovation Partnership Fund Programme Director in Liverpool
✨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 University of Liverpool.
✨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 University of Liverpool.
We think you need these skills to ace Local Innovation Partnership Fund Programme Director in Liverpool
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 University of Liverpool 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 University of Liverpool 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 University of Liverpool
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at University of Liverpool, 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 University of Liverpool 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 University of Liverpool, 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.
