The School of Natural Sciences is looking for a Project Director who will work closely with the Academic Directors at Kent, and those at the partner institutions of The University of Manchester and University College London (UCL), alongside those employed on the Centre for Advanced Diagnostics Development and Application (CADDA) grant including the Project Managers at Kent and Manchester, and the Project Coordinator at Kent, to help ensure timely delivery of CADDA activities and outputs as outlined in the grant proposal.

As Project Director you can expect to be involved in:

Bringing in-depth experience and expertise of supporting business spin out and development from outside academia to commercial realisation within the CADDA project, working with academic and private stakeholders to transition ideas and concepts into new business opportunities in the field of human and animal diagnostics.
Leading in the development and delivery of a long-term sustainability plan for CADDA beyond the initial Research England funded project.
Applying specialist knowledge and experience of company/SME development and product launch to others and pathways by which to go from product inception to commercial reality.
Developing knowledge of CADDA staff working within the area to help them better meet current and future needs of the team, keeping a strategic overview of projects and work packages.

What will you bring to the role?

Educated to degree level or higher, or equivalent commercial experience
Experience of working in a non-academic environment either to develop and launch their own products or help others to, including supporting spinout activities, preferably in the diagnostics sector
Project management qualification or substantial experience of key project delivery activities such as risk management, stakeholder management, planning, change management
Evidence of supporting development to obtain funding/investment and of longer-term project financial sustainability

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. For further information regarding the application process, please contact peopleserviceshr@kent.ac.uk quoting reference number SNS-038-25.

Occasionally we may need to close a vacancy before the published deadline due to a high number of applications being received, therefore we strongly advise you to submit your application as soon as possible. (All vacancies will be open for at least one week.)

PLEASE NOTE: We prioritise applications from current University of Kent redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

We know applicants may use AI tools to help prepare job applications. For guidance on how to use AI responsibly and effectively, see: Using AI in your job application

Applications must be made via the University’s online application system; CVs or details sent directly to the department or via email cannot be considered.

The University of Kent values diversity and equality at all levels.

Section

Biosciences

Location

Canterbury

Salary

£57,422 to £64,605 per annum pro rata

Grade

Grade 9

Post Type

Part Time

Hours per Week

Contract Type

Fixed Term - Ends 31/12/2028

Release Date

Wednesday 17 September 2025

Closing Date

23.59 hours BST on Monday 13 October 2025 (unless otherwise stated*)

Interview Date

Tuesday 21 October 2025

Reference

SNS-038-25-R

University of Kent

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