Biotechnology Business Development and Scientific Transition Lead

Role Description

Advert

We are inviting applications for a transformative leadership role designed to drive the commercial development and scientific transition of Ectocellect, a University of York early-stage company based on a human cell surface receptor discovery platform. This is a demanding, yet highly rewarding position structured to facilitate a transition into a CEO role upon the company’s successful growth.

Ectocellect is founded on a unique, genome-scale resource of soluble human receptor ectodomains developed in the laboratory of Professor Gavin Wright. The company’s mission is to address critical pharmaceutical industry challenges, including the accurate, scalable, and cost-effective assessment of therapeutic antibody binding specificity to facilitate the creation of safer medicines. The venture has already engaged pioneer customers and achieved early revenues and now needs someone with scientific and entrepreneurial skills to lead the growth of the company. 

Role

You will serve as the definitive scientific and commercial expert for the platform, bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Commercial Leadership: Leading the design and delivery of market-entry strategies to secure early-stage revenues. You will be responsible for the full sales cycle, from lead generation to negotiating and closing commercial contracts.
• Spinout Management: Working with the founder team to secure a diverse customer base, licensing deals, support fundraising, and define the corporate structure for long-term growth.
• Scientific Operations: Providing scientific operational oversight and managing day-to-day business functions, including financial planning and legal compliance.
• Market Presence: Establishing visibility through targeted online campaigns and representing the company at appropriate industry conferences.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

We are looking for someone with scientific expertise, ideally with a PhD or equivalent experience in biomedical science, protein expression, or antibody technologies. Specialist knowledge in protein analysis, antibody development, or structural biology would be an advantage. 

You will also have entrepreneurial instincts with excellent communication skills so you can initiate and nurture relationships with new customers. You must demonstrate the ability to anticipate and solve problems, deliver technical presentations, and write high-quality scientific documents. Experience in supervising others and a collaborative ethos is important.

This role offers an exciting and rare opportunity for a pathway to executive leadership. You will receive scientific guidance from Professor Gavin Wright and strategic business mentorship from Dr. Nick Hutchings, a successful serial biotechnology entrepreneur.

Interview date: 16 February 2026

For more information, please visit www.ectocellect.com and www.wright-lab.org. For informal enquiries please contact Gavin Wright (gavin.wright@york.ac.uk) for more details. 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork