The University of Cambridge is seeking an exceptional individual to join the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy as the Royce Research and Business Engagement (RBE) Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for long-term stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening and promoting the Cambridge materials community locally, nationally, and internationally. The Royce Institute, having successfully established in Cambridge a robust infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment and developed a dedicated user base, is now transitioning to a new phase focusing on translational research, emphasising the importance of research and business engagement in a more strategic and leadership-oriented capacity.
Working at the interface of academia, industry, and policy, the postholder will play a central role in advancing the Royce Institute's national mission by supporting the Cambridge Royce spoke's thematic priorities: Atoms 2 Devices (A2D) and Biomedical Materials. You will be instrumental in shaping the engagement strategy, promoting research translation, fostering collaboration, and supporting the evolution of the Royce programme into its next phase.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of a long-term stakeholder engagement strategy focusing on translational research in alignment with the Royce programme. Serve as a primary liaison for industrial partners, government bodies, and the national Royce network. Nurture and develop research collaborations with industries and strengthen partnerships with the materials community of Cambridge researchers, the Atoms to Devices and other relevant Royce research areas (ed. 2D materials, Imaging and Characterisation, Biomedical materials, etc) and networks
- Promote and manage research initiatives, road mapping exercises, workshops, and networking opportunities
- Support Cambridge academic staff in developing multi-partner, interdisciplinary funding proposals
- Facilitate partnerships that leverage the Royce infrastructure to support innovation and knowledge exchange
- Develop and extend strategic collaborations with internal stakeholders (e.g., schools of Physical Sciences and Technology, CORDE, Maxwell Centre, impulse, Cambridge Enterprise) and programmes (WCSP, Matcelerate, Energy IRC, Cambridge Zero) to build a cohesive community of practice
- Act as secretariat to the A2D Steering Group and represent the Cambridge Royce spoke in national engagement forums
Essential Experience
- Demonstrable experience in academic industry collaboration, with a strong background in in materials science
- Familiar with strategy development in a complex academic environment and translational research
- Strong familiarity with the UK research and innovation landscape
- Proven track record of managing stakeholder relationships and coordinating funding bids
- Experience organising academic or industry events (e.g., symposia, conferences)
Skills And Attributes
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; capable of influencing and inspiring diverse audiences
- Ability to translate complex scientific information into accessible documentation
- Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable to change
- Skilled in stakeholder mapping, relationship management, and partnership development
- Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
Working Environment This role is primarily office-based at the University of Cambridge, with occasional travel required. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic and supportive environment at the heart of the UK materials research community.
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Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.
The interviews will take place on Thursday 5th February 2026
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
Informal enquiries can be directed to Alexandra Robasto - ar2014@cam.ac.uk
Enquiries regarding the application process may be directed to hrmsm@msm.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference LJ48093 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
