NovaBiotics uses network initiative to attract fresh international talent
Sourcing highly-qualified technical personnel with an intimate knowledge of internationally relevant research and development is a big enough challenge for large corporations with extensive HR resources, let alone a hard-working SME.
But there is one resource which has direct access to around a hundred high-calibre international postgraduates hailing from territories as diverse as Bolivia, Canada, China, India, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, all of whom are looking for one or two-year placements within Scottish businesses or organisations.
During the past 14 years, the Scottish Networks International (SNI) trade development initiative, which is managed by British Council Scotland in partnership with Scottish Development International, has managed to place over 1000 postgraduates during or after their studies in Scottish universities or colleges. (click here for further details of SNI)
The postgraduate students (technically known as "associates") are often experienced young business people and professionals in their own right, with excellent communications skills in English to match their academic abilities.
Under an SNI placement, they can share detailed and up-to-date insider knowledge of specific export markets, pass on language skills and cultural awareness, and make a significant contribution to an export marketing strategy.
East coast Scotland versus west coast USA
One Aberdeen-based company which is enthusiastic about the scheme is biotechnology specialist NovaBiotics Ltd, recently named “Most Promising Life Science Company in Scotland” by Scottish Enterprise for its pioneering research into novel antimicrobials to treat diseases for which there are currently no effective, safe or resistance-free treatments.
Like many other firms in this sector, NovaBiotics has found it extremely difficult to recruit high quality microbiologists and antimicrobial peptide experts in Scotland who are often swayed by the lifestyle and financial benefits on offer from large US organisations, particularly in California.
“There’s currently a haemorrhage of high quality microbiologists with antimicrobial peptide expertise to the west coast of the US,” admits Deborah O’Neil, NovaBiotics chief executive and scientific officer.
To rectify this, Deborah and her team were directed towards Scottish Networks International by Scottish Enterprise, and, in the space of only a couple of months, they have successfully recruited two talented postgraduates, Frenchman Cedric Charrier and Swede Stefan Termen.
Both are distinguished young academics with recent PhDs in microbiology and immunology, who are now looking to gain their first valuable exposure to commercial research with NovaBiotics.
“Both Cedric and Stefan possess specialised skill-sets in very new technical fields which it would be really difficult to find on the open market,” notes Deborah O’Neil.
Attracting young high-flyers
Deborah found the application process refreshingly easy (“remarkably little paperwork”), and believes the scheme is of particular benefit in a fast-changing market like biotechnology.
“With SNI, you can very quickly set up a high-level short-term contract to suit your precise current needs,” she notes. “But you are also getting a great early introduction to young high-flyers who may go on to real positions of international influence, and with whom you may be able to maintain beneficial long-term contact.”
Cedric joined the company in January 2006, and, says Deborah, has already made “a significant impact”. He is currently working on a project to investigate how Novabiotics’ novel antimicrobial peptides can combat the bacteria and fungi associated with MRSA and acne, projects that have already secured interest from major pharmaceutical companies. He is also proving to be a very valuable cultural link with Novabiotics’ French partners.
Stefan is a more recent recruit, joining in April from the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. “Stefan was also interested in developing his career outwith Sweden, possibly the US, so using SNI to snap him up was a coup not only for Novabiotics but also for the Scottish life science sector as a whole,” admits Deborah with understandable satisfaction.
SNI takes care of all administrative tasks, such as visas and contracts, and pays the associate a tax-free stipend. This gives participating companies a relatively risk-free and cost-effective way to attract real high-calibre international individuals into their team. As Deborah comments, “It’s been an absolute dream - a quick and easy way to secure someone with real potential into your company”.
Scottish Networks International recruits around 90 high-calibre and experienced postgraduates each year. If you are interested in recruiting an associate, please contact Stuart Shorthouse, SNI Business Relationship Manager on 0131 524 5744 or at stuart.shorthouse@britishcouncil.org.
Alternatively, you can visit www.scottishni.org for more information.
For more information about Novabiotics, visit www.novabiotics.co.uk
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