JIC UKRI Innovation Fellowships: BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Accounts
Lead Research Organisation:
John Innes Centre
Department Name: Biological Chemistry
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Rob Field (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
| Description | What were the most significant achievements from the award? By fulfilling our aim to implement both inward and outward 3-month secondment placements for ECRs and less experienced industrialists, the FTMA has been a great success for JIC; particularly for the secondees who took part. Through the FTMA we have successfully transitioned three researchers into industry and one industrial researcher into our DTP iCASE programme. As a consequence of an inward placement, two further Innovate UK applications were successfully granted, and an existing JIC PDRA who was involved in the research programme was subsequently recruited by the external company. Through JIC's International and Policy Department, the FTMA was used to support three longer term international mobility placements ranging between 6 and 24 months. Global advertising of the programme attracted one candidate from Shanghai (CEPAMS), one from Beijing (CEPAMS), and one from Barcelona (CRAG). During their placements, each international secondee was able to impart their previous experience and individual expertise with JIC, and in turn, actively share their newfound skills with colleagues back home. Each of the international placements have been a great success and have proved that such programmes enable long-lasting and fruitful partnerships with the UK. To what extent were the award objectives met? With Government's Industrial Strategy designed to ensure that research and innovation takes centre stage in supporting the economy, JIC's FTMA has improved academia-industry links by disseminating ideas and placement opportunities early on in the application process. We have focussed on up-skilling candidates from industry, and equipping candidates from the research base for the transition to industry. Through the marketing of case studies using social media and presentations we have increased awareness. This has resulted in an increase in expression of interest by PDRAs and NRP based companies for future placements (including the formation of a waiting list for any future programmes). With JIC's award of FTMA2, two secondees have been awarded placements, and five placements, including one outward international interchange, are in negotiations. Momentum like this has enabled JIC to take the first steps toward sustainability of the programme, as well as enjoy the greater opportunities that collaborative interchanges bring. |
| Exploitation Route | By continuing to support the mobility of early career academic and industrialist researchers to new environments, the FTMA programme has engendered a culture that advocates the benefits of positive collaboration between research and industry. Every secondee who has taken part in the programme has been able to strengthen their continued professional development portfolio and expand their scientific networking circles. By supporting both inward and outward mobility of non-British citizens in equal measures, opportunities such as the FTMA have enabled the formation of long-lasting and fruitful relationships of the world's brightest scientific minds. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/blog/flexible-talent-mobility-award-scheme/ |
| Description | With a burgeoning SME sector in Norwich in need of nurture and support, the FTMA presented an ideal opportunity to strengthen academia-industry links, and to provide business exposure to our large cohort of ECRs. Through the FTMA, JIC took full advantage of the opportunity to develop, and reinforce links between the academic base at JIC and a range of NRP-based companies including spin-outs and spin-ins. In addition, we catalysed new relationships with companies identified as candidates for co-location at NRP. Within our emerging Bio industry cluster, we have strengthened our local industry connections and demonstrated the value of co-location. Recruitment of PhD students and PDRAs by local businesses such as Leaf Expression Systems, Tropic Bioscience, Inspiralis and Iceni DX has increased. By adhering to the Industrial Strategy's statement "As the UK prepares to leave the EU we remain committed to maintaining and building on our strengths in R&D to continue attracting world-class people", the JIC FTMA has sought to attract among the very best in the world through its connections with the institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the CRAG. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Glycan synthesis |
| Organisation | Iceni Diagnostics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of ideas and staff with regards the chemical synthesis of glycans and sugar phosphates. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of ideas and staff |
| Impact | Improved methods for the chemical synthesis of glycans and sugar phosphates. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Human milk oligosaccharides |
| Organisation | DSM |
| Department | DSM Biotechnology Centre |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Know-how and expertise for the chemical modification of carbohydrates. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of 100mg-1g quantities of 6 human milk oligosaccharides. |
| Impact | Only just started |
| Start Year | 2021 |