Aquaculture Development Officer

THE ROLE

The Aquaculture Development Officer will support the development, coordination, and management of innovative aquaculture projects and partnerships. Reporting to the Principle Officer / CEO, the post holder will:

• Build strong relationships across industry, academia, and funding landscapes
• Identify development opportunities, emerging themes, and potential collaborative projects
• Support project scoping, funding proposals, and early‑stage concept development
• Contribute to SAIC’s growing project pipeline and wider innovation strategy
• Represent SAIC externally and support the promotion of innovation outcomes
• Engage actively with partners to ensure projects deliver measurable impact

This role is suited to an individual with aquaculture knowledge, strong analytical and interpersonal skills, and a proactive, solutions‑driven approach.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Sector Engagement & Partnership Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with SAIC consortium members and external partners.
• Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders seeking collaboration opportunities.
• Support the growth of SAIC’s network through events, workshops, and proactive engagement.
• Identify opportunities for impactful innovation partnerships.

2. Innovation Development & Opportunity Scoping

• Monitor sector trends, challenges, and technological developments.
• Identify innovation needs and opportunities that align with SAIC’s strategic priorities.
• Horizon‑scan for public and private funding sources suitable for collaborative projects.
• Support partners through the development of proposals and project concepts.

3. Project Coordination & Oversight

• Support internal colleagues in managing governance and process requirements for projects.
• Liaise with the Project Support and Finance teams to ensure accurate documentation and reporting.
• Monitor project progress, risks, and operational challenges, escalating where necessary.
• Collaborate with partners to identify and resolve issues quickly and effectively.

4. Communication & Knowledge Exchange

• Represent SAIC at industry and academic events, meetings, and conferences.
• Prepare or contribute to presentations, briefing papers, summaries, and project outputs.
• Work alongside SAIC’s Knowledge Exchange and Communications teams to disseminate impact.
• Promote SAIC’s activities and showcase successful project outcomes.

5. Contribution to SAIC’s Organisational Development

• Support continuous improvement of operational processes and systems.
• Contribute to planning and team discussions, offering insights on sector developments.
• Uphold and actively demonstrate SAIC’s organisational values: support, agility, integrity, and collaboration.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Degree‑level qualification in aquaculture or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum two years’ experience in the aquaculture sector, either in industry or research.
• Strong understanding of the aquaculture ecosystem, trends, and innovation opportunities.
• Proven relationship‑building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong communication skills — both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving ability with a proactive and flexible approach.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Existing professional network across aquaculture industry or research institutions.
• Experience in innovation, knowledge exchange, or collaborative R&D environments.
• Experience developing project proposals or supporting funding applications.
• Familiarity with UK or Scottish innovation funding mechanisms.

Pay: Up to £42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Scotland