Oxford University Innovation
Who We Are
Oxford University Innovation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Oxford. We manage the University’s technology transfer and consulting activities. contributes to the University’s societal benefit by working with staff and students to apply their expertise and research. We have the bold vision of a world-leading innovation ecosystem with Oxford University at its heart. As architects of creative solutions, we enable the University community to maximise the global impact of Oxford’s research and expertise.
EnSpire is part of the Innovation and Engagement team within Oxford’s Research Services. We are the University of Oxford's entrepreneurship hub, enabling staff, students, alumni and the local community to navigate the Oxford entrepreneurial ecosystem with ease.
Oxford Edge is the new Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the heart of Oxford at 37 St Giles. It is a state-of-the-art facility set up to educate, inspire and empower the next generation of student entrepreneurs from across the entire University of Oxford, offering them the chance to develop their own ideas.
The Placement Project
The successful candidate will be embedded within the OUI Incubator team and will be responsible for three activities supporting our flagship Student Entrepreneurship Programme (StEP Ignite). This year StEP Ignite will be run as a collaboration between EnSpire and Oxford Edge.
The successful candidate will assist in the lifecycle of this year’s programme from preparation to its running, debrief, and post-programme evaluation. During their placement, they will also have access to training and networking opportunities provided to members of the OUI Incubator.
Your Responsibilities
The successful candidate will join the StEP team and contribute to the daily work required to deliver the program over a total period of threes months. They will also have responsibility for three key activities with appropriate supervision.
- Activity 1: Management of IP projects destined for StEP Ignite
In StEP student teams are given access to about 10 University IP projects that could be developed into a new business. Managing this list of University IP projects requires working closely with the Licensing an Ventures Managers and the Inventors co-ordinating discussions and activities for relationship management of Researchers.
Approximately 4 weeks of work
Support StEP teams during the running of the program by helping to connect them with OUI colleagues having suitable expertise and providing access to helpful OUI services and tools in areas such as novelty searching, market research, etc.
Approximately 4 weeks of work.
- Activity 3: Post StEP Data Collection and Analysis
Data collection and analysis from StEP teams in terms of diversity metrics, outcomes, case studies for future marketing.
Approximately 4 weeks of work.
What you will gain
Training and networking opportunities available to OUI members
Demonstrable experience in:
- relationship management & stakeholder engagement
- project management
- performance and impact evaluation
- IP-related research, including novelty searching and market research
- marketing strategy
- research commercialisation & fundraising for business
- teamwork and collaboration
Supervision and collaboration arrangements
The successful candidate will be embedded within the Incubator Team and may be supervised by a different member of the team for each strand of activity, having weekly meetings with their supervisor, as well as regular check-ins with the Head of Group.
They will be in daily contact with other members of the OUI team and there will be plenty of opportunity for networking with team members but also entrepreneurs participating in the programme.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to sponsor the student for a visa covering the duration of the placement, if required.
Who we are looking for
Innovation is a broad and diverse family. No prerequisite skills or background are required for this role, and any necessary training will be provided by OUI. Applicants should possess an enquiring mind and a keen interest in how university innovation can create positive economic, societal and environmental impact. Empowerment and collaboration are two of the key values at OUI and candidates will be encouraged to bring their own personal drive to the internship and to demonstrate strong communication skills to interact with a wide range of stakeholders in the Oxford innovation ecosystem.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a short cover letter (up to 500 words) in .pdf format by e-mailing placements.gudtp@socsci.ox.ac.uk. These should demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria and your motivation to undertake this placement.
If you cannot make the proposed dates please let us know your availability in the e-mail.
Application Deadline: 1st June 2025
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in-person/remotely by Brendan Ludden. This will be an opportunity to discuss how we could tailor the placement to your interests and see if we are a good fit for each other.
