Research Lead (Associate Or Assistant Level)

Well established and successful structures exist to support entrepreneurs across the Imperial College ecosystem, from early-stage experimental medicine, scientific innovation and engineering advances, to start-up formation.

However, innovation in the MedTech space has remained notoriously difficult, with additional complexities and barriers to market entry such as regulatory hurdles, high development costs before a technology can attract investment, and challenges with NHS adoption.

MedTechONE tackles this challenge and exists to support all MedTech entrepreneurs at Imperial College London.

Medtech translation (in particular ‘deep technologies’ solving extensive engineering challenges) requires sustained support (development effort, equipment) Also, NHS adoption of medtech is difficult, reducing the ability of innovators to generate traction with investors. Imperial has committed to invest in this area through introducing a totally new biomedical engineering theme as part of the BRC renewal application (start date 2022). This will bring additional clinical translational resource to the ecosystem. In the light of this, and the strategic investment by the Wellcome Trust through the TPAs and Imperial College through a dramatic growth in medtech activity (in the last five years there has been an almost doubling of research active staff in this area), we propose a dramatic expansion of the remit and scope of the Imperial College TPA, which the post holder will support. The project will be primarily collaborative and translational aspects of this large, multidisciplinary research grant, embedding these activities within the clinical environment. This will provide essential translational project support to the MedTechONE partnership.

The MedTechONE collaborative pillar will form connections to local and national networks of different clinical specialties. This includes supporting the coordination of evaluations of our technologies in wider clinical trials, as well as accepting devices into our medical technologies programme for support at all stages of translation, from first-in-human to early adoption. Working collaboratively with clinical scientists and engineers, the postholder will be supporting the day-to-day running and development of this high impact activity.

The Hamlyn Centre, where the post is based, is co-hosted by the Department of Surgery & Cancer , which has a strong focus on technological innovation with emphasis on clinical translation, resulting in direct patient benefits with global impacts. The Centre is one of the several research centres that make up the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI). Focusing on improving global health and healthcare through evidence-based innovation, IGHI is one of Imperial’s six global challenge institutes.

Duties and responsibilities

• You will support the collaborative pillar of the MedTechONE project, acting as a first point of contact for the academics and stakeholders regarding project activities.
• You will arrange and coordinate events for the project collaborative activities, ensuring that logistical requirements are effectively arranged and supporting students/attendees.
• You will support the communication strategies for the project, including social media visibility, website maintenance and reporting to stakeholders.
• You will be undertaking broad project administration duties, including budget reviews and purchasing activities.
• You will support evaluation activities such as clinical trials.

Essential requirements

• You should be educated to degree level
• You will have experience working in a similar role/environment.
• You should have an understanding of project administration.
• You must be able to liaise with stakeholders with a range of seniority.
• Experience maintaining records and offering committee/meeting support
• Understanding of Data Protection (& GDPR)

Further information

This is a full time and fixed term position for up to the 30th June 2025 in the first instance.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Dr Nikeysha Bell(nikeysha.bell@imperial.ac.uk)/ Prof Daniel Elson (daniel.elson@imperial.ac.uk)

This position is eligible for a hybrid working structure, with a minimum of 3 days per week on site.