Project Development Manager

Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute

Ref: 80954
Salary Range: £32,000 to £40,000 per annum dependent upon experience
Closing Date: 2^nd September 2011

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is a world leader in genomic research, with an expanding scientific programme dedicated to understanding gene function in health & disease.

A primary aim of the Institute is to maximise the translation of our scientific output to create healthcare benefits. In the next few years we plan to be much more proactive in our translation activities. We will achieve our aim by directly and swiftly translating our science into tangible clinical benefits whilst maintaining our commitment to early public release of information and data.

Over the next eighteen months we will build a team to deliver translation activities. Having recently appointed the Head of Technology Transfer and Business Development we are now seeking to recruit a Project Development Manager to support the Head of Technology Transfer and Business Development in delivering the translation strategy.

The primary tasks for the successful candidate will be to assist the Head of Technology Transfer and Business Development in identifying research opportunities for translation into patents, licences and/or commercial exploitation. Working closely with senior scientists you will assist in the project management of the science through to translation. You will actively monitor the external market for opportunities and partners for the translation of WTSI science. Equally important will be work relating to patent evaluation for particular technologies, reviewing the competitive landscape and discussions with patent agents with a view to determining the viability of proposed patent applications. You will undertake liaison with patent lawyers and ensure that WTSI interests are suitably safeguarded.

Lastly you will act as an ambassador for the Institute, promoting WTSI technologies to the biotechnology/pharmaceutical sector by developing and maintaining collaborations.

Essential Skills
We see this as a developmental role for an experienced postdoctoral scientist interested in a move into technology transfer. However we would also welcome applications from those already working in technology transfers with a greater level of knowledge, skills and experience in the translation field.

The essential criteria that the successful candidate needs to fulfil are:

• A PhD in a biological science, ideally with extensive knowledge of genetics and genomics;
• A good level of project management skills demonstrated through the delivery of successful projects within budget and agreed timescales;
• Proficiency in planning and co-ordinating complex projects;
• The ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships and influence others. The candidate must be able to provide evidence of having utilised these skills to achieve agreed objectives;
• Excellent communication skills.

Other personal attributes that will enable the successful candidate to fulfil this role are exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail and a strong completer-finisher profile.

Ideal Skills
Ideally the candidate will have good knowledge and understanding of translation activities and experience of successfully translating research into commercial opportunities.

Closing date for applications: 2nd September 2011

Benefits: The Institute has excellent purpose built facilities on the Genome Campus, Hinxton on the outskirts of Cambridge. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits including a final salary pension scheme and excellent on-site facilities. Further details can be found on our website: https://jobs.sanger.ac.uk,

To submit your CV and apply for this job please go to https://jobs.sanger.ac.uk, to register and apply on line.