Programme Manager - Challenge-led innovation (maternity cover), NC3Rs; MRC, Mar 2018
Programme Manager - Challenge-led Innovation (maternity cover) - NC3Rs
Employer: MRC (NC3Rs), London, UK
Salary: £37,769-44,396 plus London allowances
Job Type: Fixed term, full time
Science-led and evidence-based, the NC3Rs is the UK’s national organisation for the 3Rs, established in 2004 to accelerate the development and uptake of new models and tools that replace, reduce or refine the use of animal in research and testing. We have shown that science and technology focused on minimising animal use or improving animal welfare, can deliver benefits to human health, protection of the environment and business opportunities.
The NC3Rs is primarily funded by Government and has an annual budget of approximately £10 million. Its activities are divided between its role as the UK’s major 3Rs research funder and programmes led by its own team of scientists. Further information can be found at www.nc3rs.org.uk.
CRACK IT Challenges is the NC3Rs’ open innovation challenge-led R&D funding competition. It focuses on solving 3Rs challenges with business implications and driving commercial benefits from 3Rs technologies.
Challenges are developed in consultation with Sponsors (typically from the pharmaceutical, chemical, agrochemical and consumer product industries) who provide co-funding and in-kind contributions such as access to compounds or data. Contracts of up to £1 million are awarded.
Role of the Programme Manager
The main responsibilities of the Programme Manager are outlined below
- Helping to identify and support the development of new Challenges working with Sponsors in academia and industry, and showcasing new Challenges to potential applicants at the annual launch event.
- Managing the Review and Challenge Panels, including feedback to applicants.
- Managing the contract negotiations between the NC3Rs and Sponsors and the NC3Rs and awardees.
- Participation in project management meetings for each Challenge to monitor progress against milestones and ensure the provision of in-kind contributions from the Sponsors, and to troubleshoot as appropriate.
- Maintain an overview of the wider scientific and regulatory environment for each Challenge to ensure that it is as successful as possible, including to engage stakeholders in the uptake of the Challenge product.
- Support for the collation and evaluation of metrics relating to the impact of CRACK IT Challenges.
- Helping to disseminate the outputs from CRACK IT Challenges.
The post is within the NC3Rs Science and Technology Group and the ability to work as part of a dynamic team is essential.
Education, qualifications, training and work experience
- PhD in a biological science.
- Experience of the open innovation environment or the commercialisation of technologies emerging from the research base is desirable.
- Experience of project management and monitoring, and contracts management.
Animals in research
- Understanding of the issues around the use of animals in research.
- Demonstrable commitment to the 3Rs.
Personal skills, behaviours and qualities
- Effective networker, able to develop and cultivate relationships with a wide range of individuals and organisations (including in academia, industry and business).
- Excellent communicator both orally and in writing.
- Ability to represent the NC3Rs at national and international meetings (note the ability to travel in the UK and mainland Europe is essential).
- Excellent strategic thinker and ability to identify, analyse and propose solutions to varied and complex problems.
- Evidence of excellent organisational skills and management of a scientifically and technically diverse set of projects.
- Ability to plan and act proactively and work to deadlines.
- Excellent inter-personal skills and team player.
You can find the full job description, and apply for the role, here.
Closing date: 2 Mar 2018
