SPARK Project Manager
Career Integrity & Compliance Audit Report
This vacancy has been independently reviewed by the OppaJob Transatlantic Career Intelligence Desk to confirm authentic direct employer recruiting, verify compensation transparency, and eliminate applicant processing fees.
Transatlantic Cost of Living & Purchasing Power Benchmark
Compare US ($) vs UK (£) Salary & Net Take-Home Pay
Calculate tax deductions, living costs, and purchasing power parity across US & UK metros.
Position Overview & Specifications
SPARK is a unique partnership between university and industry founded by Professor Daria Mochly-Rosen in 2006 at Stanford University in USA. The purpose is to provide the education and mentorship necessary to advance research discoveries from the bench to the bedside. SPARK provides access to specialized knowledge and technical expertise regarding drug and diagnostic development and sources of funding to support translational efforts.
As the SPARK Project Manager you will support the development and operations of running a SPARK programme for the West Midlands. SPARK being the Stanford model for pre-clinical acceleration.
You will support the on-boarding a portfolio of projects that are at pre-clinical stage of development led by academics, clinicians and industry onto the SPARK programme. You will work closely with a broader consortium aiming to boost the sector in the region and alongside staff at Aston University who will direct the programme.
Where possible you will work alongside the teams that successfully applied to be part of the SPARK Programme. You will help these teams build industry standard Research & Development project timelines that will drive their projects towards clinical trials or market authorisation.
You will have experience in developing on of the following products: Diagnostics, Medical Devices or Therapeutics in a project manager role, with a particular focus on managing the research and developing process of these projects.
Your day to day running of the SPARK programme will include a mixture of grant management, events management, contract support, and related administrative duties. It will also include working with individual SPARK cohort members to get them to a point they understand their journey to clinical trials and how finance can be raised to support this.
This is a hugely exciting opportunity to drive forward the sector for the region and be part of a globally recognised acceleration programme for pre-clinical work.
Please visit the SPARK Global website https://sparkglobal.io/about/ for further information on SPARK
Interview Date: 19/06/2023
If you wish to further discuss this role please contact Luke Southan (L.Southan@Aston.ac.uk).
Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role as part of Aston University’s commitment to equality and diversity and ensuring a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. Personal details that are included on application forms, including the candidate’s name and address will not be disclosed to the shortlisting panel. CVs will not be considered as part of the shortlisting process
Candidate Selection & Onboarding Process
Application & Resume Screening
Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.
Technical & Competency Interviews
Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.
Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation
Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.
Onboarding & Corporate Integration
Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.
United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide
Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:
Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or occupation going rate.
Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.
Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Colleges & Universities
Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for SPARK Project Manager roles across Aston University's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:
Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Colleges & Universities.
STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.
Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked £44,414 - £52,841 bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.
Explore Related Opportunities (United Kingdom)
Other high-paying verified positions matching your industry profile.
Principal Data Analytics Specialist
Senior Clinical Diagnostic Radiographer
Senior Site Reliability & Kubernetes Engineer (SRE)
Consultant Acute Care Physician (General Medicine)
Head of Cyber Security & Zero Trust Architecture
Apply for this Position
Receive high-paying Colleges & Universities openings directly to your inbox.
