Opportunity Assessment Group (OAG) internship

The Opportunity Assessment Group (OAG) provides a central resource for LifeArc, researching and analysing the potential of new and existing biomedical opportunities. The team performs detailed scientific assessments as well as analysis of competition and intellectual property (IP). OAG performs an essential role in helping to shape LifeArc’s portfolio including our Translational Challenges, in-house drug discovery and diagnostic projects and investment decisions by the Early Ventures teams as well as diligence to inform LifeArc’s broader strategic direction.

Success during this internship means that you will be able to effectively and efficiently apply established processes to manage diligence projects for OAG (therapeutics, diagnostics, other). This will involve carrying out scientific, technical, commercial and IP diligence according to predetermined Standard Operating Procedures. Diligence produced may have a direct influence on the company portfolio (Translational Challenges / Early Ventures).

You will be expected to interact credibly with leading experts, scientists and clinicians within academia and the pharmaceutical industry and to work collaboratively with other teams within LifeArc. Interns will work in teams with OAG Analysts and supported by Senior Analysts and/or Principals to deliver diligence or landscaping reports.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is considering working in translational science and a career path that would take them away from academic bench science.

Education & experience required:

Essential

• Recently completed or currently completing a PhD in life or medical sciences, or with equivalent experience
• Aptitude for describing complex scientific information in accessible terms and ability to quickly grasp new scientific concepts
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate confidently and effectively with academic staff, all levels of management and companies
• Competence in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Self-starter

Desirable

• Experience in competitive intelligence, analysis and reporting
• Experience in science translation, including IP protection, commercialisation paths and funding models
• Understanding of the drug and/or diagnostic discovery process and of the academic, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry marketplaces

Internship placement with an exciting and dynamic team within LifeArc

• Our standard internship length is three-months; however, we would consider a longer duration (up to a maximum 6 months) if it fits with the needs of the candidate and the OAG team.
• A high-quality training programme that would give you a baseline understanding of how to assess the scientific, commercial and intellectual property landscape around biomedical opportunities.
• Exposure to translational science in a commercial setting, allowing you to participate in decisions around investments, grant funding and drug/diagnostic development collaborations.
• Because we understand everyone has different requirements, our flexible benefits allow you to choose those which are important to you. Our pension scheme offers employer contributions of up to 12%, private health insurance, and annual leave of 31 days PLUS bank holidays.

The online application form will open on Monday 23 September. As part of the online application process, you will need to attach your CV – please try to keep your CV on 2 pages.

Application deadline: Monday 21 October. We recommend you apply as soon as possible; we may close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

If your online application form is successful, you will be invited to complete a short strength-based video interview, known as Snapshot. Full instructions and guidance on how to approach and prepare for a strengths-based assessment will be provided before you complete the Snapshot.

Successful candidates will be invited to attend an in-person interview between 18 to 29 November 2024.

If you are currently completing a PhD we will require a letter of support from your PhD supervisor acknowledging that this will be a full time role and that you will not be participating in your PhD study during this internship – a Letter of Support template will be provided if your initial application is successful.

What are the spring 2025 placement start and end dates?

The placement will start on Monday 31 March. It is a 3 month internship.

What if the start date doesn’t work for me / my supervisor?

The start date is fixed – we are looking for 2 interns to start the programme at the same time , this will allow for smoother onboarding and completion of the induction programme. If you have extenuating

circumstances which mean that the start date does not align exactly with your availability please raise this during the application process.

If your availability falls significantly outside the specific start date, we encourage you to consider applying for future opportunities. It is our intention to run this programme twice a year with placements commencing in spring and autumn.

I don’t have / I’m not current completing a PhD in life or medical science, what is considered “equivalent experience”?

We tend to look for candidates at PhD level in biological sciences, as they have the deep biology background and ability to critique scientific information that we need for them to handle the range of opportunities that come across our desk. At a minimum, we would need a strong undergraduate degree in a biological science with demonstrated evidence of additional relevant academic studies (i.e. Master’s focused in drug discovery) AND evidence of work that is aligned to OAG tasks – e.g. experience of competitive intelligence work.

I have a chemistry / non-biological sciences background – can I still apply?

See above. The type of work we conduct in OAG requires strong biological knowledge. We are open to candidates from other backgrounds but you will need you to demonstrate enthusiasm and a good understanding of human biology / biochemistry.

I am on a professional Internships for PhD students (PIPS) scheme, am I eligible for this internship programme?

This will depend on whether your programme allows/accommodates paid internship programmes. In this role you will be paid as a full-time employee for three months so if you also receive a PhD stipend you will need to make arrangements with your PhD supervisor/programme manager to manage this.

What do you mean by “recently completed a PhD”?

This is an early talent campaign that is focused on developing skills to build life science careers. This is a learning role, so while it is not suited to individuals with several years experience, we welcome applicants who are looking to make a career move/switch.

Do I need a right to work in the UK for this internship?

Yes, the right to work in the UK is required for the OAG Internship. A question around right to work is included as part of the application form. You will also have the opportunity to add details of any restrictions on your right to work in the UK i.e. visa requirements.

The advert states that a longer duration of up to 6 months is considered, what are the criteria/ considerations for a longer placement?

Longer placement durations are considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure fit with the needs of the candidate and OAG team. If you are interested in a longer placement duration, please indicate this during the application process.

Example scenario: a candidate who is open to a 6-month placement has a background in Childhood Cancers and the OAG team have a longer duration piece of work that aligns with Childhood Cancers & the placement timings.

Do I need to submit a letter of support from my PhD supervisor?

The letter of support is required if you are taking time out of your PhD to participate in this internship programme. It is a declaration from your supervisor that they agree to you taking on a full-time internship placement and not contributing to your PhD work for three months.

I’m not available for the interview dates, can I still apply?

Yes, the advertised interview dates are suggested. If you are successful through the application stage and video interview, we can aim to provide flexibility on the dates for the interview if needed.

I don’t live in London or Stevenage. Will you pay my travel / accommodation costs? OR can I work remotely?

There is no additional budget beyond the salary provided, we anticipate that this covers the cost of living locally to London/Stevenage for the duration of your internship. You would be expected to join the team in our hybrid way of working, with three days on site. It is also highly beneficial to be co-located with the team to learn from them as much as possible during your internship. Being on site enables interns to connect with colleagues, participate in team projects and events, make contacts, build networks, and importantly, accelerate learning.

How will interns be managed/mentored?

OAG are well versed at managing interns having had an ad hoc intern programme for several years as well as hosting LifeArc Technology Transfer Fellows. You will receive the same internal training programme as new Analysts. You will have a direct line manager who will welcome you to the team, and support you to do any diligence work you are assigned.

Will there be potential for a job at the end of this?

This is a standalone program offering training and CV building to the next generation of scientists wanting to work in this area. We don’t expect OAG to be expanding in the near term, so there are no immediate opportunities. We have had former interns who have applied for a role in OAG when it came up later, and the internship strengthened their application. You can sign up to job alerts and stay connected on future opportunities at LifeArc here: Job alerts – LifeArc (livevacancies.co.uk)

Where can I find more information about the programme?

In March 2024 we hosted an online webinar for the Autumn 2024 intern programme – although the dates are now outdated, the information on the OAG team, assessment process, internship programme and Q&A are still accurate.

Click here access a recording of the webinar.