Daily work pattern: Mon-FriTotal hours per week: 35

FT/PT: FT preferred

Spin Up Science was founded to champion entrepreneurial scientists, inspire future innovators and establish ecosystems for technology commercialisation. We work to connect scientists and engineers across academic institutions with leaders in industry to foster a scientific innovation ecosystem through training programs, invited talks, technology showcases, and hands-on opportunities to work alongside enterprises. Spin Up Science are based in Bristol at the start-up incubator Unit DX, a major hub for biotechnology enterprise in the South-West UK.

Our goal is to support the development of scientists and engineers as leaders and innovators, while strengthening the connections between innovation in the public and private sector. We want to see more bold, scientific entrepreneurs, more world-leading companies, and more discoveries reaching the marketplace.

As a start-up, the nature of the work at Spin Up Science is varied and dynamic. The placement would include a mixture of managing workshops and training for PhD students and post-docs, meeting clients from start-ups, developing brands and websites for start-ups, organising events (Including LAUNCH: Great West an award ceremony for science start-ups) and marketing for new events. The core mission however is building, supporting and expanding the scientific start-up ecosystem. One project the student will take a lead on is ‘Science in the City’, a networking programme dedicated to raising the profile of biotechnology start-ups in Bristol. This would involve liaising with numerous commercial and industrial partners, digital marketing and events organisation.The placement will provide the student with valuable insight into research translation and commercialisation and the opportunity to support early stage scientific ventures. This experience will develop a broad set of transferable skills that are not otherwise available to PhD students. This includes outstanding opportunities to network within the exciting regional start-up community.

Specific skills required for the placement:

·         Excellent interpersonal skills

·         Experience working as part of a team

·         Professional demeanour with clients and partners

·         Interest in supporting science and technology innovation

·         (Bonus) Experience analysing the market viability of new technology

Development opportunities available to student:

Benefits include a range of transferrable skills including communication in an industrial environment, digital marketing and web design, organisational skills and creation of a valuable regional network concerned with research commercialisation. The placement is expected to enhance the employability of the student in the biotechnology sector and beyond while building a valuable contribution and connection within the ecosystem.

Benefits the Host expects to gain from the placement:

The placement is expected to foster new collaborations and knowledge exchange between individuals, charities, organisations in the public and private sectors, and investors. Ultimately the ambition is to facilitate and encourage the creation of new companies as well as to support existing industry. A major goal for Spin Up Science is to connect and ensure retention of talent within the biotechnology sector through providing the opportunity to upskill, contribute to and connect with the ecosystem. A key impact here is the regional development of the South-West as a focus for research commercialisation in biotechnology.

You will be supervised by Dr Benjamin Miles (CEO) during your placement.

Spin Up Science will contribute to travel and relocation costs depending on student needs and circumstance.

Students will take part in entrepreneurship and innovation training programs at the start of their placement.

All business-related travel, subsistence and other expenses will be reimbursed.