Director Of The Biotech Accelerator

Director of the Station 41 Accelerator

General Summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Southern Research (SR) are planning the launch of the Station 41 Accelerator, which will leverage the collective strengths of UAB and SR to launch new drug discovery programs with clinical and translational promise.

This will be responsible for end-to-end leadership of the Station 41 Accelerator. This will include co-developing a strategic plan for the Station 41 Accelerator; organizing a market launch; generating connections with industry and university players to sustain the program; and leading day-to-day operations, including development of the Venture Studio team.

We are looking for an energetic and nimble executer who thinks critically, relishes details, effectively collaborates with a diverse array of stakeholders, and has demonstrated an interest in scientific research, commercialization, and economic growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Represents UAB and SR externally at community events
• Works directly with Chief Business Officer and other UAB & SR executive leaders to identify, shape, and prioritize objectives across strategic projects relevant to commercialization and startup growth
• Coordinates with relevant marketing teams within UAB and SR to promote the accelerator program and selected projects
• Upon growth of accelerator, hires a team of other individuals to operate project businesses and drive licensing and partnership deals
• Co-develops the strategic plan for the Station 41 Accelerator, including the business plan, financial model, prospective organizational structure, and legal & operational considerations, including systems, processes, and facilities
• Drives SBIR / STTR and other non-dilutive funding applications to develop drugs and diagnostics via investigational companies
• Serves as the business manager and point of contact for projects launched through the accelerator, overseeing technical and operational functions for the company on a fractional basis
• Interfaces with the Executive Committee of the accelerator, which includes senior leaders from UAB and SR, and the Strategic Advisory Committee, which includes UAB faculty and external experts
• Drives licensing opportunities, funding sources, potential spin-outs, or other “exit” partnerships for investigational companies in the accelerator, including creation of pitch decks and diligence materials for potential partners
• Plans and coordinates a market launch for the Station 41 Accelerator in Q3 2023
• Coordinates project selection for the accelerator program, including leading committees of faculty and commercialization experts to evaluate projects

Qualifications And Requirements

• Willingness to travel to build accelerator partnerships
• Experience in early-stage drug discovery programs, including the target identification, target validation, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization processes
• Strong ability to communicate scientific and business strategy concepts, including through memos, reports, and slide decks
• Advanced educational degree, certification, or commensurate work experience in biomedical sciences, pharmacology, chemistry, finance, or a related field
• Comfort in a dynamic work environment, collaborating with stakeholders across divisions of the organization
• Familiarity with building financial models, pitch decks, and other materials to support licensing and partnership opportunities
• Passionate about translational research, commercialization of new technologies, and innovation-driven economic development
• Willingness to work in-person or hybrid (three days per week) in office
• Experience with building teams to support a common goal

About Southern Research

Southern Research (SR) represents a bold vision for an enduring industry-university partnership that advances research and discovery in life sciences and engineering. As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we are making transformational decisions to reinvigorate the institute by focusing our efforts to attract, retain, and develop top talent, and ultimately create jobs through translating ideas into innovation, and innovation into economic opportunity.