Where does Isis Innovation fit in?

Isis can help researchers to find and manage opportunities for consulting and services.  Specifically, Isis helps researchers and departments in these areas:

• Marketing the University as a resource for consultancy and services
• Negotiating better rates and terms than could be obtained by individuals
• Protecting researchers and departments from the liabilities of such work
• Reducing the administration surrounding consulting and services work

Researchers are under no obligation to use Isis to assist in their consulting and services activities and using Isis does not remove the need to obtain the necessary approvals under the University’s statutes and guidelines.  However, managing consulting activity is a time-consuming activity and individuals can be exposed to unattractive liabilities.  The support Isis offers to researchers is intended to assist with negotiating contracts, minimising personal liabilities, arranging insurance cover and to help identify further opportunities.

Marketing

Isis actively markets both consultancy and services to the business community in the UK and internationally.  This achieves two key goals: (1) Isis helps to identify opportunities for researchers; and (2) Isis provides a contact point for companies to identify the right researcher(s) in the University with the expertise that they require.  Targeted marketing through networking events, contacts made by the Business Relationship Manager (based at Isis), relevant conferences and the Oxford Innovation Society frequently lead to new consulting opportunities. Isis also uses its specialist searching skills and leads from researchers to identify potential commercial partners; prepares and distributes non-confidential marketing information; and follows up potential leads.

Isis maintains a database of researchers in the University who have registered as consultants.  Isis is also aware of the full range of University research activity and approaches researchers when opportunities arise.

What is Oxford University Consulting?

Oxford University Consulting (OUC) is the brand name, which Isis uses to market the consultancy expertise and services of the University and its researchers.  This is a powerful brand capable of attracting organisations to approach Oxford for consultancy and service provision.

Negotiating

As a first step in the contracting process, primarily to prepare the scope of work, Isis will typically facilitate communication between the client, Isis and researcher(s). This communication is important to ensure that all parties have agreed expectations of one another.  An accurate scope of work (i.e. work to be done, deliverables etc) helps to confirm this and to provide realistic costings.

The expertise delivered under consulting and services contracts is often considered to be of very high value by the client.  Researchers should therefore expect an appropriate financial return for their time and expertise.  A key reason for Isis to be involved in consulting support is to avoid researchers ‘under-selling’ themselves.  Although there are no fixed rates for consulting because of the breadth of the expertise available, we would not typically negotiate a fee of less than £500 a day unless there is a strategic reason to accept the business.

Protection from Liabilities

When, as a researcher, you enter into private consulting contracts you may be exposed to contractual liabilities, which make you personally liable for the consequences of the work you do for your client.  The liability may well extend to other people’s use of the work you have done and over which you have no control.  Consulting contracts are often short in length and in time span, and individuals sometimes forget to consider key issues, which can have long-term consequences (e.g. restrictions on working in the same field and/or with other companies).  Using OUC creates an arms-length relationship whereby the contract is between OUC and the company, not with the researcher personally.  Isis arranges personal indemnity and other insurance cover and negotiates the appropriate limitation of liability.

Administration

There can be considerable administrative effort involved in managing consulting activity which OUC manages on your behalf, including: rounds of sometimes complex negotiations; contractual drafting and correspondence; putting insurance in place; invoicing; debt collection; addressing tax issues when work involves the use of any University equipment etc.

Costs & Payment?

In return for providing the above services and benefits, OUC retains 15% of the amount invoiced to the client.

In order to be paid on a gross basis, you will be required to register as Self-Employed with HMRC. Once our management fee is accounted for, OUC will arrange to pay you directly, via your bank account. Full details of payment arrangements are provided here (ox.ac.uk access only).

Once again, please note you are responsible for your own Tax and National Insurance Contributions.