Innovation and R&D in Oxford
Oxford's vaccine research connects with a wider Oxfordshire landscape of quantum computing, fusion engineering and specialist research facilities.
Supporting innovative businesses in Oxford and the surrounding area
Technical expertise: Dr Jack Brent
Core strengths of Oxford's innovation and R&D scene.
Vaccine development. Quantum computing. Fusion engineering.
What innovation is happening in Oxford?
Oxford's innovation story extends from university laboratories in the city to specialist campuses across the surrounding county. Vaccine development in Headington, quantum computing at Harwell and fusion research at Culham each involve different scientific and engineering challenges. Harwell and Culham are separate Oxfordshire locations, not Oxford city sites.
A technical perspective
Meet Dr Jack Brent.
Vaccines, quantum technology and fusion research depend on advances across several scientific disciplines. Jack brings chemistry and materials science expertise to conversations about the technical work behind innovation.
Dr Jack Brent
Senior R&D Tax Manager
- PhD in Materials Science and MChem in Chemistry.
- ATT qualified with detailed knowledge of the UK R&D tax regime.
- Research experience across advanced materials, battery technology and solar energy harvesting.
Innovation in practice.
We’ve highlighted three area strengths for you to explore in detail.
01 / Vaccines and life sciences
Taking vaccine ideas towards clinical testing
Headington, Oxford
The Jenner Institute's main human-vaccine laboratories are based at Oxford's Old Road Campus in Headington, with programmes spanning vaccine design, delivery and manufacturing. Links with clinical research and the University's Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility support the development of candidates from laboratory research towards early clinical trials.
The challenge: Developing reproducible vaccine candidates and processes that can progress into clinical testing.
Healthcare & Medical Devices
Expertise in diagnostics, healthcare and medical devices.
Healthcare & Medical Devices02 / Quantum computing and its engineering
Engineering scalable quantum systems
Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire — outside Oxford city
The National Quantum Computing Centre at Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire brings hardware and software researchers together to build, test and operate quantum computers. Its work addresses the engineering needed to scale these systems while developing algorithms and exploring potential applications.
The challenge: Scaling quantum hardware while developing the software needed to test and use it.
03 / Fusion energy and advanced engineering
Developing the technologies fusion will need
Culham, Oxfordshire — near Abingdon
At Culham Campus in south Oxfordshire, UKAEA researches the scientific and engineering challenges of fusion energy. Facilities for materials research and robotics sit alongside plasma and fuel-cycle work, testing how future fusion systems could be built, operated and maintained.
The challenge: Developing materials, maintenance systems and fuel technologies for demanding fusion environments.
Technical expertise
People who understand the work.
Specialist knowledge in science, engineering and tax.
Client experience
What working with InnoFund feels like.
Feedback from our wider UK client base on specialist support for R&D and innovation.
“Would highly recommend, they know their stuff! They assisted greatly with an R&D claim rejection by HMRC.”
We have had a very positive experience with innofund over the last few years of working with them. They are very responsive and happy to partake in regular catch-ups and go above and beyond to share any changes to the rules for applicable expenditure and find any further applicable items on top of those provided. There have been multiple visits to site and presentations to the wider business that have received positive feedback and driven buy in across the whole site. I would be more than happy to recommend them as top reliable and supportive consultants.
Your next step
Support shaped around your work.
Talk to us about the technical challenges behind your project. We can assess the evidence and relevant support; innovation alone does not establish eligibility for tax relief.
R&D Tax Credits
Assess the technical work, evidence and potential relief behind your project.
Explore R&D Tax Credits
Capital Allowances
Review qualifying investment in premises, plant and machinery.
Explore Capital AllowancesSupporting innovation in Oxford
We work with innovative businesses in Oxford and the surrounding area through our connected UK team. Speak to a specialist about your project and the support available.
Talk to InnoFund
Technical expertise across the UK.