BAM will demolish an existing lecture theatre to clear the way for the four storey 120,000 sq ft BREEAM Excellent rated facility.
Work will start on site next month with practical completion in July 2016.
When completed MIF will be occupied by 140 university staff and a team of Unilever scientists from the R&D Centre for Home Care and Personal Care products.
Ged Flanagan, construction director, BAM Construction, said: “This is an exciting project with a high technical specification.”
The University of Liverpool’s team includes The Fairhursts Design Group (architect) Curtins (civil & structural engineer) White Young Green (building services engineer) and Turner & Townsend (cost consultant).