Technology Commercialisation Director – Sustainable Polymers

A&B Smart Materials is an Oxford University-based materials science venture founded by Oxbridge graduates. We are developing sustainable, biobased, and biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to replace synthetic, petroleum-based SAPs used in hygiene and agriculture.

The global SAP market is worth $9B today and projected to reach $17.6B by 2035. With the EU banning synthetic SAPs in soils by 2028, we are positioned to lead one of the largest materials transitions in decades. We have already secured traction with industry leaders. Our mission is to disrupt this market through next-generation chemistry, IP-driven technology, and a scalable licensing model that achieves both performance and price parity by 2028.

We are seeking a Technology Commercialisation Director to act as the critical bridge between science and business. This is a senior role, reporting directly to the CEO, with responsibility for translating our cutting-edge R&D into commercially viable products, partnerships, and licensing agreements.

The Director will oversee IP strategy, coordinate between the chemistry/engineering teams and the commercial team, and ensure that technical progress is aligned with market demand. They will also support investor engagement, industry partnerships, and regulatory/compliance pathways that underpin commercial adoption.

Key responsibilities include

• Technology-Market Fit: Translate technical breakthroughs into value propositions tailored to hygiene, agriculture, and adjacent sectors.
• IP & Licensing: Work with the CTO and advisors to manage patents, protect know-how, and shape the licensing model.
• Commercialisation Roadmap: Define how lab-scale innovation progresses through pilot, regulatory approval, and into global markets.
• Partnership Development: Support negotiations with corporates (e.g. BASF, Covestro) and ensure technical terms align with commercial goals.
• Investor Support: Prepare technical-commercial documentation for investors, data rooms, and board meetings.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Coordinate scientists, engineers, and business developers around shared milestones.
• Market Insight: Monitor competitor technologies, regulatory trends, and adoption curves to refine strategy.

This is a high-impact role for someone who wants to sit at the intersection of cutting-edge science, global markets, and sustainability.

Essential qualifications and skills

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field; MBA or commercial experience is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in technology transfer, commercialisation, or IP management.
• Strong understanding of licensing models, joint development agreements, and corporate partnerships.
• Ability to translate complex technical data into compelling commercial insights.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Desirable

• Experience in polymers, hydrogels, hygiene, or agriculture markets.
• Track record of bringing a scientific innovation to market in a startup or corporate setting.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for biodegradable or bio-based materials.
• Network across corporate R&D, investors, and innovation ecosystems.

Location: Oxford (Begbroke Science Park). Hybrid/remote flexibility possible.

Start date: ASAP.

Impact: You will create the digital engine that drives the next generation of sustainable polymers, ensuring our lab discoveries reach global markets faster and more efficiently.

Please note that while the EIT budget is currently exhausted, funding is still available under the EIC, ERC, MSCA, and RI pathways.