Senior Translation Executive

4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we are beating cancer.

Senior Translation Executive

Salary: In the region of £72,000 pa depending on experience

Reports to: Regional Translation Lead

Department: Research & Innovation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (flexible-working requests will also be considered if it meets business needs)

Location: Oxford with flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office on average 3 days per week)

Closing date: Thursday 20th March at 23.55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high number of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found, so please do not delay submitting your application to avoid any disappointment.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

We have a new exciting opportunity for a Senior Translation Executive to join the Cancer Research Horizons, Search and Evaluation team (S&E). The S&E team is distributed geographically to provide highly visible and frontline support to all Cancer Research UK (CRUK) funded researchers across the UK. In this role, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of plans for translation of CRUK funded research within the Oxford region. This will include visiting and working with oncology researchers based at Oxford to proactively identify projects and technologies with patient benefit potential, including setting the intellectual property strategy and driving project development by working with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders. As a senior member of the team, you will be expected to lead the design and delivery of strategic initiatives aimed at increasing translation in your region, and work with colleagues across the organisation to deliver strategic initiatives across the UK.

About the team

Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK, translating cutting-edge innovations into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients. With exclusive rights to CRUK’s annual investment of over £300 million in world-class cancer research, we’re a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. We’re currently the second largest oncology out-licensor globally, and to date we’ve played an instrumental role in forming over 60 startup companies, and bringing 11 new cancer drugs to market, with 6 million doses administered to cancer patients all over the world.

S&E is the front-line team of Cancer Research Horizons, working with researchers across the UK to identify and develop research discoveries that can be translated into innovations that will impact the lives of cancer patients.

What will I be doing?

• Develop a deep understanding of the cancer research landscape within the designated region/institution.

• Build and maintain strong, integrated relationships with senior oncology researchers and host technology transfer offices in the designated region/institution.

• Act as a highly visible primary point of contact for oncology researchers with Cancer Research UK Commercial Partnerships.

• Through interactions with researchers, proactively seek invention disclosures for technologies with the potential to impact the lives of cancer patients.

• Review and critique invention disclosures, performing appropriate due diligence and scientific/commercial evaluation.

• Propose new technology development opportunities to internal governance boards to seek approval for their development and onward commercialisation.

• With colleagues and researchers, create and implement project plans to develop technologies into investable or licensable propositions, ensuring projects are fully funded and supported with clear milestones and decision points.

• Protect and manage project associated intellectual property.

• With Cancer Research UK Business Development colleagues, develop marketing materials for technologies, as appropriate.

• Routine contract negotiation and management in liaison with BD&T and Legal colleagues

What skills are we looking for?

• PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific or healthcare discipline, ideally oncology/technology-related

• An expert in translating discovery research and pre-clinical science with extensive experience in sectors such as medical technologies, diagnostics, healthcare technologies and pharmaceuticals.  This experience may have been gained in industry, healthcare, academia or in non-profit organisations

• In depth experience of the patent filing and prosecution process in a range of technology areas

• In depth experience of negotiating research-related contracts including MTAs, research collaboration agreements etc

• Ability to drive an entrepreneurial spirit and think creatively

• Experience of mentoring and supporting others, gained through either matrix or direct line management

• Working knowledge of different commercialisation routes for academic research (e.g. licensing, spin-out creation)

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do. 

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination   

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism    

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people   

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively 

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer. 

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals. 

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page. 

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. 

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner. 

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen by emailing us at [email protected]. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.