In this role, you will be a key member of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Strength in Places (SIP) Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON) programme core team. The Strength in Places programme is a major (£200M+) programme funded initially over 5 years, with the potential to grow significantly from this base.

The £6.6M ERDF Formulations platform interfaces synergistically with iiCON, with major targets for working with SMEs from the Liverpool City Region (LCR).

The main focus of this role will be helping the Director to grow the interface with SMEs and other commercial companies with the iiCON SIP Platforms to facilitate the growing diagnostic, vaccine and Med Tech programmes and connect with the boarder LCR support networks for business, co-ordinated through the Growth Hub.

Your key responsibilities would be:

• Engage with third party SMEs to identify opportunities for translational partnerships, developing those discussions through to workspace engagement in Research & Development projects of relevance to the SME
• Build and maintain a network of external contacts with businesses, other academic organisations, agencies and charities etc. relevant to the iiCON platforms translational activities
• Responsible for negotiation of deals, including formalities to close
• Stay abreast of competitor activity and market trends, maintaining an excellent working knowledge relevant to the iiCON programmes workspaces

The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, be confident communicating with high level executives in both academic and industrial organisations and have a strong academic grounding in either business, or medical/life sciences. You’ll need to have outstanding business development skills and a track record of independently negotiating and concluding high level deals.

Ideally, you will also have:

• Degree/PhD in Science or Business or relevant continuing development training
• Network of business contacts relevant to the Infection prevention and control R & D landscape
• Ability to present in public at conferences and in business meetings
• A good understanding of the pharma, med tech or diagnostics industry product development pathway and decision-making

(For a full list of essential and desirable criteria please refer to the job description and person specification)

Application Process:

Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we may close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role. We also have a proactive approach to our recruitment here at LSTM, so you may be invited to attend an interview before the advert closing date.

Inclusion is central to our values at LSTM

We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diversity across our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age and disability. LSTM selects candidates based on skills, qualifications, and experience.

We welcome conversations about flexible working; and applications from those returning to employment after a break from their careers.

About LSTM

Founded in 1898 and the oldest of its kind in the world, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for teaching and research in tropical diseases. Through the creation of effective links with governments, NGOs, private organisations and global institutions and by responding to the health needs of communities, LSTM aims to promote improved health, particularly for people of the less developed/resource poorest countries in the tropics and sub-tropics.

LSTM actively promotes Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Policies