Business Development Executive – Machine Learning Systems & AI

Position Title: Business Development Executive – Machine Learning Systems & AI

Grade: EI Grade 8 (£47,471+)

Duration: Full time/Fixed term 5 years

ML Systems CDT – Machine Learning Systems CDT 

The School of Informatics and Edinburgh Innovations are seeking a Business Development Executive. The focus of this role is the development of opportunities for the Machine Learning Systems Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) via:

• industry sponsored PhDs, 
• parentship events and 
• Supporting student entrepreneurship
• national representation of the University’s capabilities within Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. 

The post holder will also have wider engagement and be an interactive support across the University’s Artificial Intelligence community and including the Bayes Centre, Generative AI Lab and future AI initiatives.

About Machine Learning Systems CDT

This new CDT will train a new kind of researcher: the Machine Learning Systems Researcher, who will bridge the current divide between machine learning expertise and computer systems development 

Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) dramatically impact our lives. But ML performance depends on the systems that implements it. Systems research and ML research are symbiotic. Students joining the Centre for Doctoral Training will collaborate and research on the cutting edge across the full ML-systems stack. We are about machine learning methods that work. We build the right methods and the right ways to deploy things to make ML work for real problems.

The School of Informatics and the University of Edinburgh have a long and prestigious history in both Artificial Intelligence and Computer Systems. We have a concentration of research across AI applications such as natural language, vision, robotics, and medicine. 1)  Developing and deploying new AI tools that accelerate and enhance the productivity of engineering research and development

Role Focus

The post holder is expected to be visible, have a passion for engagement and above all, driven to see our ML and AI research aspirations become a reality. Below are some of the core focus areas of the role.

1. Partnership strategy: Develop and implement partnership strategy to enhance partnership and identify new collaborators in focus areas.
2.  Industry Engagement: Secure research projects for PhD cohort year on year. Build on existing relationship by managing key industry partnerships.
3. CDT Outreach & Promotion: Represent the CDT at events and conferences
4. Commercialisation:  Support development research commercialisation via licensing and company formation/entrepreneurship.

Role Description:

Further details can be accessed via the link below

 https://uoe.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/jobdescriptionlibrary/EWNp0IkBkldPo_tybTeTH7EBTMGqgp86xzhuYfjLMmEGYw

Requirements:

Essential:

• Tertiary level qualification in relevant scientific area or proven career experience in line with the job description
• Track record in proactive opportunity generation leading to increased revenue
• Demonstrable knowledge of research and applications within of Machine Learning System, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science.
• Business Development and commercial experience, ideally in both industry and academic organisations in the relevant sectors
• Experience of working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to manage projects and deliver commercial outcomes
• Experience in reviewing and negotiating contracts and managing projects
• Account and client relationship management experience, 
• Highly developed communication skills, both written and verbal

Desirable:

• PhD qualified in the field of Machine Learning or Artificial intelligence.
• Experience of Higher Education sector and understanding of universities as complex public-sector organisations
• Experience of working in knowledge exchange and commercialisation
• Excellent influencing skills and ability to network with both academia and industry 
• Knowledge and experience of intellectual property protection and exploitation

Working Dynamic

The post-holder will report Head of Business Development for the College of Sciences an Engineering with dotted line responsibility to the CDT Director and will work closely with the CDT Manager. The role will sit within the School of Informatics and will benefit from support from Edinburgh Innovations, the School of Informatics, as well as wider University of Edinburgh.

Benefits

As a valued member of our team you can expect: 

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work
• A competitive reward package with annual bonus reviews based on performance
• A generous 40 days of combined annual leave and public holidays entitlement 
• A competitive work package including defined contribution pension scheme (currently 4.5% employee and 14.5% employer contribution rates), family friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more
• Support to nurture your talent and reward success

Applicants must have the existing and ongoing right to work in the U.K. without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided.

Closing date for applications will be midnight October 13th 2024.

Interviews are expected to be held on the weeks commencing 21st and 28th of October.

If invited for interview you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab). 

 

 

   

At Edinburgh Innovations, we help commercial organisations to build innovative ideas using the right technologies, expertise and facilities at the University. For students and staff, we lead the University’s activities in industry engagement and business development, enterprise support and the identification, management and commercialisation of University intellectual property. We seek opportunities, we build partnerships for mutual benefit, we make the journey easy, and we add value at every stage.