Overview
Job description and what you’ll do:
ARI is launching its EDA Tech Hub, Heartland BioWorks (BioWorks), and is seeking a BioWorks Executive Director who provides strategic leadership, expert guidance, and advisory support in the development and implementation of biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiatives. BioWorks will build on Indiana’s significant momentum in the life sciences and leverage and supplement EDA funding to develop programs that grow the region as a global leader in biotech innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development. This role will be a key leader of this initiative, working closely with the BioWorks leadership team and ARI to launch and grow programs that address biotech innovation and workforce gaps. The Executive Director will provide the expertise and experience needed to advance biotech innovation and manufacturing in the region, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks, and driving collaborations between research institutions, private sector partners, and government agencies. The Executive Director is responsible for shaping programs, fostering partnerships, and ensuring BioWorks solutions align with regional or national priorities, such as public health, agriculture, environmental sustainability and industrial applications.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership and Guidance:
- Advise senior leadership on biotechnology trends, opportunities, and risks.
- Develop and implement strategic plans to advance biotech initiatives within the organization.
- Provide expert input on the potential impact of emerging biotech innovations and policies.
Policy Development and Compliance:
- Lead the development of biotechnology-related policies and guidelines to ensure compliance with federal, state and international regulations.
- Monitor and assess the impact of regulatory changes on biotech projects and make recommendations.
- Liaise with regulatory agencies to ensure projects meet necessary legal and ethical standards.
Innovation and Research:
- Collaborate with research teams to identify and advance cutting-edge biotechnology projects.
- Foster innovation by staying abreast of technological advancements in areas such as gene editing, synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals, and bioengineering.
- Support the translation of research into practical, scalable solutions.
Partnership Development:
- Build and maintain partnerships with academic institutions, private sector companies, and government agencies to advance biotechnology initiatives.
- Identify funding opportunities and collaborate on grant applications or joint stakeholders involved in biotechnology.
Program Management:
- Oversee the execution of BioWorks projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, timelines, and budgets.
- Evaluate the performance of BioWorks programs and initiatives, providing recommendations or expansion.
- Ensure that programs contribute to broader organizational or government priorities, including public health, environmental sustainability, or economic growth.
Public Outreach and Advocacy:
- Represent the organization in public forums, conferences, and media as a subject matter expert on biotechnology.
- Advocate for responsible and ethical use of biotechnology in addressing societal challenges.
- Promote public understanding of biotechnology’s potential benefits and risk.
Required Qualifications to Apply:
- Advanced Degree (Ph.D, M.D., or equivalent) in biotechnology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of experience in biotechnology or biomanufacturing, with a focus on strategic leadership, policy development, or program management.
- In-depth knowledge of biotech regulatory frameworks and ethical considerations.
- Strong network of contacts in the biotechnology/biomanufacturing sector, including academia, industry and government.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
- United States Citizenship
- Ability to obtain a DoD Secret level clearance or other government agency equivalent
Who we are:
ARI (Applied Research Institute) works with academia, industry, and government to create a hub of national security innovation that helps solve critical defense priorities. ARI connects regional, state and national partners through a variety of means including convening research and business teams to solve emerging technical challenges for the U.S. Department of Defense. ARI is focused on hypersonics, cyber-physical systems, trusted microelectronics, artificial intelligence and 5G. Learn more at www.theari.us.
The region is home to landmark industry leaders that span the bioecosystem (e.g., HQs of Lilly, Corteva, Elanco); the nation’s largest medical school and R1 universities focused on biotechnology and manufacturing innovations (e.g., Indiana and Purdue Universities); life sciences and biotech public private partnerships (e.g. BioCrossroads); coordinated state-regional-local prioritization of life sciences to advance economic opportunities; and a rapidly growing venture ecosystem. The Heartland BioWorks Tech Hub (BioWorks) will unite Indiana stakeholders and concentrate their efforts and resources on emerging biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
Supported by meaningful stakeholder commitments, BioWorks will initially focus on four integrated activities that address key barriers in the region:
- BioTrain (equitable, hands-on workforce development);
- BioLaunch (networked infrastructure and support for commercialization);
- BioWorks HQ (training, technology demonstration, and convening facility); and
- BioWorks Governance (hub coordination infrastructure).
BioWorks will initially target the human/animal health sectors. However, within ten years, BioWorks will fuel Indiana’s economy by bridging and accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough technologies in human, animal, and plant biosciences, transforming these into job-creating companies that improve America’s national security, economic future, and dominance in a biotechnology future.
