Principal Licensing & Ventures Manager - Life Science

• Would you like to help create global impact from world-leading University research?


• Are you interested in joining a team of outstanding people working to bring great Oxford ideas to life?

Oxford University Innovation (OUI) and it's Life Science Licensing & Ventures (L&V) team is renowned for its work on the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, and creating spinouts like Oxford Nanopore Technologies, that revolutionised DNA sequencing. The Higher Education Business & Community Interaction survey by UKRI ranked OUI as the UK’s top performing university enterprise. Become part of the Oxford ecosphere, and take innovative ideas born in Oxford University to create transformative economic and societal impact in the wider world.
The Opportunity

The successful candidate will work within our highly motivated and successful Life Sciences group, focusing on commercialising technologies developed from Life, Biomedical and Medical Sciences at the University of Oxford, as well as from the Oxford University Hospitals and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trusts with a focus on pharma and therapeutics.
The key responsibilities of the role are:

• Working with, and influencing, world-leading academics to lead the translation and commercialisation of new medical and life science technologies


• Identifying and executing new commercial strategies for transferring technologies to industry


• IP and patent portfolio management


• Negotiating appropriate licensing and other commercial contracts, in conjunction with legal experts


• Managing the formation of spinout companies

About you

You will demonstrate a passion for entrepreneurship and enterprise; have a good appreciation of the Life Sciences market landscape; and ideally possess experience of translating scientific innovation into commercial products and/or companies. You will also need to demonstrate ambition to achieve results, excellent interpersonal, relationship management and team working skills, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills, and a commitment to integrity and sound commercial judgement. You should be able to work autonomously and manage a large diverse portfolio.
The successful applicant will have an upper second or first class degree or equivalent in relevant biomedical, life science and relevant commercial, technology transfer experience in these fields. It is preferred that you will have a good appreciation of research and development, gained either in a commercial or technical role. Experience or demonstrable interest in any of the following areas would be an advantage:

• Experience in commercialising IP in medical science


• Knowledge of University technology transfer processes, or awareness having worked with universities.


• Negotiation skills and experience


• Working with diverse teams and individuals


• Market knowledge of pharmaceutical products.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please download the application form from the Oxford University Innovation website and send it together with a copy of your CV and cover letter to our recruitment partner Roy Bennett (his details are on the website career section role profile. Information about our culture and working life at OUI can also been found in the careers section.
Salary for this role is commensurate with experience and will be in the range of £52,000-£60,000 per annum..

Comprehensive benefits include 30 days holiday + bank holidays, generous pension scheme, rewards and private healthcare.
Closing date is midday Tuesday 6th February 2024.
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.
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.

Oxford University Innovation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and accredited with the Investors in People Silver status.