Pharma R&D Venture Lead - DayOne 80-100%

Basel Area Business & Innovation is the economic promotion agency for the Basel Area and the strategic growth partner helping scalable ventures in science and tech to land, launch and level up in the Basel Area - faster, smarter and friction free. We support startups, scaleups, SMEs and global enterprises with expert insight from science and tech specialists, equity-free funding to fuel growth, and end-to-end support tailored to our customer’s industry and stage. Serving the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft and Jura, our mission is regional growth.

Join the DayOne team at Basel Area Business & Innovation and help shape the future of pharmaceutical R&D by supporting the most promising tech ventures from innovation to growth.

Pharma R&D Venture Lead DayOne 80-100%

DayOne runs an international accelerator and venture-building program supporting promising tech ventures transforming pharmaceutical R&D and helping them grow in the Basel Area.

As Pharma R&D Venture Lead, you play a key role in identifying, attracting and supporting high-potential ventures in turning innovative technologies into successful businesses.

Key responsibilities

• Scouting and attracting promising Swiss and international ventures and academic spin-offs
• Assessing early-stage ventures and technologies for their relevance to pharmaceutical R&D and alignment with DayOne’s strategic focus including the coordination of an independent Selection Committee for our accelerator program
• Providing guidance to selected ventures throughout their development and establishment journey in the Basel Area
• Strengthening the scientific, technical, and industry quality of DayOne’s accelerator and venture-building activities
• Connecting ventures with relevant pharma R&D experts, industry partners, infrastructure, and specialized service providers
• Building and activating a high-quality network of experts and mentors across pharma R&D and the Basel life sciences ecosystem
• Developing and maintaining relationships with pharma R&D stakeholders and identifying opportunities for collaboration with ventures
• Contributing pharma R&D expertise to DayOne programs, events, and thought-leadership activities

Your profile and experience

• Significant professional experience within pharmaceutical R&D, ideally with exposure to multiple stages of the R&D value chain
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies and their application within pharma R&D
• Established network within the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, ideally including the Basel ecosystem
• Experience working with startups, spin-offs, external innovation or entrepreneurial projects
• Ability to assess early-stage ventures, identify development gaps and connect founders with the right expertise
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with both senior industry stakeholders and early-stage founders
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on and collaborative working style
• Fluent in English, with excellent communication skills

Our offer

You will join a young, international team of 50+ experts from over 10 nationalities, working across three locations at the heart of Europe’s most concentrated innovation ecosystem. Our culture is built on trust, collaboration, and curiosity. As Pharma R&D Venture Lead, you’ll work closely with ambitious founders, industry experts, investors, and ecosystem partners to help promising ventures turn innovation into impact. We empower you to take ownership, build meaningful relationships, and shape new opportunities for ventures and the Basel Area. Flexible work options, including remote work, support performance and accountability. We are united by one purpose: helping scalable science and tech ventures grow smarter. When you succeed, the Basel Area succeeds.

How to apply

Please send your application to: jobs@baselarea.swiss