Science Program Manager

Job Description

Program Manager

Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom (3 days onsite, 2 days remote) Employment Type: Inside IR35 agency Contract- 12 months

Pay: 42-44 pounds per hour

Role Overview

This position plays a critical role in translating frontier research into real-world impact. As a Technical Program Manager, you will work in service of a world-class research lab, acting as the interface between researchers and strategic partners. This role is responsible for leading early access programs and customer-facing engagements that connect cutting-edge AI for Science capabilities with partners in industry and academia. The position requires a passion for how AI advances sciences and an ability to manage milestones and deadlines in a research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of Research Early Access Programs (REAP), translating frontier AI for Science research into high-impact partner engagements.
• Serve as the interface between the research department and strategic partners, shaping co-innovation opportunities and leading pilots.
• Orchestrate complex programs across research, engineering, and partner ecosystems, establishing governance through roadmaps and risk management.
• Work with researchers to convert experimental advances into usable workflows, prototypes, and solution constructs.
• Develop a high-quality partner pipeline and synthesize signals across the AI for Science landscape to help shape strategy.
• Act as a key external interface, using soft skills to interact effectively with partners such as national and biomedical labs.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• A background and knowledge in a scientific field such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with hands-on academic or professional experience.
• Relevant experience in a science lab setting and a demonstrated intellectual curiosity for how AI can advance areas like drug discovery or advanced materials.
• Experience may be equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Sciences, or a related field with 6+ years of experience, a Master’s degree with 4+ years of experience, or demonstrated ability to lead complex technical programs involving AI or scientific computing.

Technical Skills:

• A foundational understanding of AI, machine learning, and the data science space.
• A background in software coding or basic computer science would be beneficial.
• Proficiency with office suites for reporting and the confidence to present findings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in AI for Science domains such as computational chemistry, materials science, or drug discovery.
• Familiarity with foundation models or simulation-based workflows.
• Experience leading customer-facing technical programs or co-innovation initiatives.
• Background in research environments or early-stage incubation settings.
• Ability to operate across technical depth and strategic context, engaging both researchers and senior stakeholders.

Work Environment

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring a minimum of three days per week onsite in a small office on the research campus in Cambridge. The position involves explorations with major technology companies, national labs, and startups in fields such as AI for energy and climate prediction.