About Us

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR – www.nihr.ac.uk) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to advance the health and wealth of the nation through pioneering research. As the UK’s largest funder of health and social care research, NIHR collaborates closely with the NHS, universities, local governments, other research funders, patients, and the public. By funding, enabling, and delivering world-class research, NIHR drives improvements in health and wellbeing while fostering economic growth.

The Job

We’re looking for a motivated and dynamic Technology Transfer Associate to join our team someone who’s passionate about translating cutting-edge research into practical innovations that make a real difference.

About the Role:

The NIHR Intellectual Property Unit supports the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with expert guidance on IP, commercial, and contractual matters across the NIHR portfolio. We\'re seeking a Technology Transfer Associate to help ensure that NIHR-funded intellectual property is effectively identified, managed, and translated into impactful health and care outcomes in the UK and beyond.

You’ll support initiatives to enhance IP management and integration across the UK health research ecosystem. The role involves supporting our Technology Transfer Manager in commercialisation cases, resolving complex IP queries, and contributing to strategic process improvements.

Job Purpose

To work closely with colleagues, researchers and customers to provide scientific, commercial and regulatory support and analysis for commercialisation of intellectual property assets created by researchers.

Key Activities

• Manage agreed activities as part of wider projects relating to IP management and commercialisation resulting from research institutions
• Regularly (at least once per week although more frequent attendance may be required based on business needs) attend sites in London, Cambridge and Harwell to provide face-to-face support to researchers
• Working with colleagues to engage legal and patent subcontractors to resolve IP and commercialisation cases
• Gathering data and providing detailed analysis to support development of business cases for IP commercialisation
• After being trained as a trainer, deliver core training for staff on IP and commercialisation
• Working with internal and external legal advice to review collaboration agreement issues
• Support identification of IP requiring protection and working with colleagues and external patent agents, when appropriate, to protect IP
• Maintain accurate database records of current IP assets being managed
• Supporting other team members with technology transfer activities
• Support, as required, promotion of industrial partnerships
• Support, as required, management of the reagents portfolio
• Support, as required, provision of entrepreneurial training
• Support, as required, due diligence review of applications to funding schemes for IP and commercialisation related issues
• Support, as required, researcher applications to other funders for the IP and commercial sections

About You

Required Criteria

• Degree (BSc, MSc or PhD) qualified in life sciences
• Understanding of intellectual property management processes and ways to protect IP assets
• Ability to communicate information regarding intellectual property and commercialisation to a range of audiences using appropriate style and format of messages
• Experience of working in a technology transfer environment to commercialise life science and health related intellectual property

Desired Criteria

• Some experience of negotiating commercialisation licences
• An understanding of the different priorities of industry, researchers and government when agreeing mutually beneficial outcomes for commercialisation of IP

Salary & Benefits

£40,300 + per year

Bonus - subject to company performance

25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)

Enhanced contributory pension scheme

Life Insurance

Benenden Healthcare

Please note: This is a permanent, full time, hybrid role based at our Twickenham, London office, with a requirement that employees work on-site at least one day per week.

How To Apply

If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a \'Statement of Suitability\' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the \'Essential Criteria\' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with NIHR.