Position Title: Business Development Executive – AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Biomedical Innovation

This is a re-advertisement.  Previous candidates need not apply. 

Grade: EI Grade 8 (£47,471+)

Duration: Open ended full time

AI4BI – Artificial Intelligence Centre for Doctoral Training in Biomedical Innovation

The School of Informatics and Edinburgh Innovations are seeking a Business Development Executive. The focus of this role is the development of opportunities for the UKRI funded Artificial Intelligence Centre for Doctoral Training in Biomedical Innovation (CDT) via:

• industry sponsored PhDs, 
• partnership events and 
• Supporting student entrepreneurship
• national representation of the University’s capabilities within Biomedical Innovation. 

The post holder will also have wider engagement and be an interactive support across the University’s Artificial Intelligence community and including the Bayes Centre, Ushers and future AI initiatives. This unique role will enable to post holder to work across  the prestigious Colleges of Science & Engineering and Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.  

About AI4BI CDT

The greatest challenge to realising the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is translation of AI research into real-world use. AI4BI aims to address this challenge by training interdisciplinary researchers who would possess the technical skills, biomedical domain knowledge, and experience developing and implementing innovative AI approaches in the private and public sectors. The Centre is funded by UKRI for 8 years (2024-2032) to train five interdisciplinary cohorts of PhD students.

Applications of Biomedical AI span:

• Genomic Medicine
• Biomedical & Health Informatics
• Cellular and Molecular Systems Medicine
• Biomedical Imaging

The School of Informatics and the University of Edinburgh have a long and prestigious history in both artificial intelligence and health science. We have a concentration of research across AI applications such as natural language, vision, robotics, and medicine. Developing and deploying new AI tools that accelerate and enhance the productivity of engineering research and development. This role will uniquely bridge the Colleges of Science & Engineering and Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.

Role Focus

The post holder is expected to be visible, have a passion for engagement and above all, driven to see our Biomedical AI research aspirations become a reality. Below are some of the core focus areas of the role.

1. Partnership strategy: Develop and implement partnership strategy to enhance partnership and identify new collaborators in focus areas.
2.  Industry Engagement: Secure research projects for PhD cohort year on year. Build on existing relationship by managing key industry partnerships.
3. CDT Outreach & Promotion: Represent the CDT at events and conferences
4. Commercialisation:  Support development research commercialisation via licensing and company formation/entrepreneurship.

Role Description:

Further details can be accessed via the link below

https://uoe.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/jobdescriptionlibrary/EdyMtYjGbalPqYrQY2j1IYABQ8LyM0FF-xnw8xpxDxwKQw

Requirements:

Essential:

• Degree or Tertiary level qualification in relevant scientific area or proven career experience in 
• Track record in proactive opportunity generation leading to increased revenue
• Demonstrable knowledge of research and applications within computer science, computational biology, bioinformatics, engineering.
• Business Development and/or commercial experience, ideally in both industry and academic organisations in the relevant sectors
• Experience of working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to manage projects and deliver commercial outcomes
• Experience in reviewing and negotiating contracts and managing projects
• Account and client relationship management experience
• Highly developed communication skills, both written and verbal

Desirable:

• PhD qualified in computer science, computational biology, bioinformatics, or engineering 
• Experience of Higher Education sector and understanding of universities as complex public-sector organisations
• Experience of working in knowledge exchange and commercialisation
• Excellent influencing skills and ability to network with both academia and industry 
• Knowledge and experience of intellectual property protection and exploitation

Working Dynamic

The post-holder will report Head of Business Development for the College of Sciences an Engineering with dotted line responsibility to the CDT Director and will work closely with the CDT Manager. The role will sit within Edinburgh Innovations, the School of Informatics, the Colleges of Science & Engineering and Medicine & Veterinary Medicine. Edinburgh Innovations will provide relevant training and support to the post holder.

Benefits

As a valued member of our team you can expect: 

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work
• A competitive reward package with annual bonus reviews based on performance
• A generous 40 days of combined annual leave and public holidays entitlement 
• A competitive work package including defined contribution pension scheme (currently 4.5% employee and 14.5% employer contribution rates), family friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more
• Support to nurture your talent and reward success

Locations and Hybrid working

This role will benefit from having a physical presence across the University of Edinburgh’s Central campus, Kings Buildings and Little France. To establish good relationships and networks we expect the post holder to spend time at each location. This appointment will require an individual who thrives on developing personal relationships and working toward a collective goal. Hybrid working is supported where the post holder can demonstrate their ability to function effectively and productively in the role.

Applicants must have the existing and ongoing right to work in the U.K. without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided.

Closing date for applications: Midnight January 2nd 2025.

Interviews are expected to be held on the weeks commencing 13th or 20th January 2025.