Job Purpose

You will manage the overall running of ‘GCR Neuranics Advanced Manufacturing Capacity for Sensor Technology’ an ambitious and critical project for the Glasgow region’s dynamic advanced manufacturing industrial supercluster, specialising in technologies such as semiconductors and quantum technology. It aims to help Scotland develop the nanotechnology fabrication infrastructure necessary for scaling production, retaining manufacturing in the region, reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and gaining control over intellectual property.

Through strategic investment in sensor technology within GCR, we aim to attract £5 million in inward venture capital investment, paving the way for the creation of a comprehensive fabrication capability within the region. The initiative will create a state-of-the-art nanofabrication centre, enabling the fabrication of magnetic sensors in the UK, reducing reliance on overseas facilities and strengthening domestic supply chains.

The project is a collaboration, led by Neuranics, alongside Kelvin Nanotechnology Ltd., and the University of Glasgow James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC). It will bring world-class Ion Beam Etch equipment to Glasgow, allowing Neuranics to manufacture ultra-sensitive Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors while also enabling other technology companies and researchers to utilise the equipment for their own advanced manufacturing and semiconductor applications.

You will engage with partners, suppliers and potential users to facilitate a dialogue with the industry about technological challenges and translational opportunities. Your responsibility will be to identify and secure new business opportunities and build strong relationships with stakeholders. You will often represent the project at trade shows, academic conferences, and government/parliamentary events. The position offers extensive industry-facing networking opportunities, and a chance to support cross-disciplinary research and commercialisation activities.

Internally, you will support project management, procurement of equipment, and initiate necessary changes to ensure the delivery of this strategic project. You will also engage with the JWNC staff and Co-I with dissemination by working with the press and media team, and nurturing commercialisation opportunities and business partnerships in the sector. Having a strong interest and/or background in the nanofabrication business sector will be highly beneficial.

The post holder is directly responsible for managing the running of the project and maintaining a credible and well-presented record of its activities, achievements, and progress, with regular and diligent reporting to funders and stakeholders.

The post holder will report to the PI, Professor Hadi Heidari, and will make sure that the project stays on track and that objectives, milestones, and deliverables, as well as any changes in the research, are documented. For informal enquiries, please email Prof. Hadi Hedari.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To manage and coordinate the Centre and to communicate decisions to key stakeholders, as appropriate.

2. To develop and implement a consistent and robust project management methodology, including the delivery of the overarching project and its work packages (WPs) within agreed timescales, budgets and scope.

3. To provide comprehensive project management support to the PI, including planning and monitoring, financial management, logistical support, change management, reporting, and co-ordination of funds allocated to WPs. Collaborate closely with Project staff to ensure efficient project planning, resourcing, and delivery.

4. To communicate with all relevant partners and stakeholder communities, including consultation and management of expectations and engaging and managing stakeholders from senior management to operational staff to ensure clarity in the delivery of key programme messages (verbal and written).

5. Lead on the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing and business engagement strategies utilising market insights and analysis to fuel business growth.

6. Cultivate a robust pipeline of funded projects and partnership opportunities by establishing contracts and collaborations with SMEs, academia, and industry partners.

7. Represent the centre including at exhibitions at industrial tradeshows, technical conferences, and other events, in the UK and internationally.

8. Lead on developing and securing a mature pipeline of strategically relevant contracts/collaborations with SMEs, academia and industry and enhance direct commercial funding in support of the Living Laboratory activities.

9. Initiate and lead business attraction and bid initiatives to seize new opportunities.

10. Proactively build and maintain effective relationships with key partners and stakeholders, identifying opportunities and facilitating collaborations for new projects.

11. Provide expert advice and regular progress reports to the leadership team at JWNC, Neuranics and KNT, contributing to the business development strategy by highlighting progress, challenges, & opportunities.

12. To effectively support the Centre’s members with research and dissemination including whitepapers, press releases, and non-technical briefs.

13. To act as the key contact coordinating any requests from funders for periodic updates on the grant progress, visits and requests for information, audits or to attend events or activities organised by funders concerning the programme.

14. To assist in the delivery of workshops, sandpits and annual events in collaboration with external stakeholders.

15. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the PI or Deputy PI.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles.

Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

A2 Knowledge of project management techniques and tools.

A3 Knowledge of the Higher Education organisations, and their purpose, infrastructure, policies and contractual legislation.

A4 A thorough understanding of grant management processes.

A5 Good knowledge of financial management, processes and systems.

A6 Knowledge and understanding of interrogating and maintaining databases.

A7 Knowledge and understanding of data integrity and its importance.

Desirable:

B1 Experience working in the electronics industry.

B2 Detailed knowledge of UKRI funding schemes, their rules and their processes.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Project management – both short-term deadline driven and longer term involving multiple conflicting deadlines and coordination across multiple organisational units.

C2 Excellent time management skills with an ability to prioritise competing demands and multiple projects.

C3 Knowledge and experience of working and collaborating with nanofabrication technologies or similar companies and understanding of their business drivers.

C4 Proven exceptional verbal and written communication and organisational skills to produce clear project management documents and stakeholder focused content, presented in an engaging and constructive manner.

C5 A strong understanding of risk management.

C6 Financial management and planning skills.

C7 Ability to provide advice and guidance in relation to funder requirements.

C8 Ability to build and manage business relationships bridging between higher education and partners from industry and charity organisations.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Track record in electronics and/or circular economy.

E2 Experience of managing a portfolio of projects across the full lifecycle with a successful track record of delivery.

E3  Experience of establishing, developing and maintaining relevant marketing intelligence and knowledge systems and utilising them effectively in business development and customer support.

E4 Experience of attending partnering meetings and hosting company visits.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of managing research projects.

F2 Experience of providing high quality advice and guidance on research management.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and has funding available for 5 years in the first instance.

Please note that, as part of this role, the successful candidate will be expected to travel for up to one month each calendar year.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University   https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website  https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date:  9 November 2025