About us
Basecamp Research is dedicated to solving major challenges in the life sciences by exploring Beyond Known Biology. Our teams build frontier AI models using BaseData, the world's largest ethically-sourced and globally representative biological dataset. Our Global Research Team collects and curates our own biological data through partnerships with more than 152 organizations in 28 countries, giving its AI access to genetic diversity that doesn't exist for models trained on public database sources. This enables Basecamp Research to design novel protein sequences and biological systems that can accelerate therapeutic research and development.
In October 2024 we closed Series B and in January 2026 finalised pre-Series C investment from NVIDIA. With hubs both in London, UK as well as Boston Massachusetts, USA and partners with biopharma companies and academic institutions worldwide, our work has been recognized with honors including Fast Company's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Biotech and the FT-backed Sifted AI100 list of Europe's leading AI startups.
At Basecamp Research, we pride ourselves on being a diverse, exciting, fun, and flexible place to work. Our team of biologists, engineers, ML scientists, field explorers, and operations specialists are united by a sense of adventure and the belief that nature has already designed the solutions to our planet’s greatest challenges - we just need to go out and discover them! If you feel passionate about the power of biology, data, and AI to build a better world, we’d love to hear from you.
The Role
We are seeking a highly capable and proactive Associate Director of Business Development & Licensing to join our Business Development Team. This role is based in Cambridge/Boston MA, and will report directly to the Chief Business Officer.
You will be responsible for therapeutic drug-specific deals - structuring, negotiation, and closing in-licensing and out-licensing transactions with biopharma companies, biotech partners, and academic institutions. You will also support our leadership team on larger, more complex transactions, acting as a key analytical and operational contributor across the full deal lifestyle.
You have a strong scientific foundation, hands-on experience in BD&L deal execution, and the commercial instinct to translate Basecamp Research’s unique biological data assets and therapeutic assets into compelling partnership propositions.
Key Responsibilities
Deal Origination & Pipeline Development
Identify, prioritise, and pursue out-licensing and in-licensing opportunities aligned with Basecamp Research’s therapeutic strategy, covering early-to mid-stage assets, platform access, and data collaboration models.
Conduct landscape mapping and competitive intelligence across therapeutic areas to surface relevant partnering leads and anticipate market demand.
Build and maintain a disciplined, high-quality deal pipeline - from initial lead identification through qualification, business case formation, and stakeholder alignment.
Represent Basecamp Research at key industry conferences, partnering events, and scientific meetings to cultivate a strong external network and generate inbound interest.
Due Diligence & Deal Execution
Lead or support end-to-end deal processes: opportunity assessment, scientific and commercial due diligence, term sheet negotiation, and contract execution.
Coordinate cross-functional diligence teams (science, legal, finance, product) and hold team members accountable for timely, high-quality deliverables.
Build and validate financial models, valuations, and business cases to support deal structuring and internal governance approvals.
Draft, review, and negotiate key deal documents including CDAs, term sheets, license agreements, and collaboration frameworks, in partnership with legal counsel.
Support more senior leaders on larger, more complex transactions - including platform-wide licensing deals, strategic alliances, and co-development arrangements.
Cross-Functional & Partner Collaboration
Serve as a credible scientific and commercial interface with external partners - engaging confidently with VP-level BD, research, and legal counterparts at pharma and biotech organisations.
Work closely with Basecamp Research’s product and science teams to ensure commercial commitments are grounded in product reality and to surface partner requirements that should inform our roadmap.
Prepare high-quality materials for governance review, including opportunity reports, management presentations, and deal memoranda.
Contribute to the development of Basecamp Research’s BD&L playbook, including process design, evaluation frameworks, and partner-facing materials.
Required Skills and Experience
5-8+ years of experience in business development, licensing, or strategic alliances within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences sector.
Demonstrated track record of contributing to or leading complex BD&L transactions, including in-licensing, out-licensing, or co-development deals across drug discovery or early development stages.
Strong scientific or technical foundation - you can engage credibly with researchers and understand the value of biological data assets, assay platforms, and early-stage therapeutic programmes without needing everything translated.
Solid grasp of drug development and commercialisation processes, including an understanding of preclinical and clinical development, regulatory pathways, and IP considerations.
Hands-on experience in financial modelling and deal valuations, including NPV, risk adjustment, and scenario analysis.
Proven ability to manage end-to-end deal cycles and coordinate cros–functional teams across diligence and execution.
Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills - able to engage effectively with both scientific and business stakeholders and distill complexity clearly.
Based in Cambridge / Boston, MA, with willingness to travel for partner meetings and industry events.
Advantageous Skills and Experience
Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, or MBA) in a relevant scientific or business discipline.
Experience at a high-growth biotech, TechBio, or AI-driven life sciences company, ideally in a role where you built processes or deal motion from an early stage.
Familiarity with AI/ML applications in drug discovery, protein design, genomics, or related fields.
Existing network of BD and alliance management contacts across mid-to-large pharma and biotech organisations.
Experience with non-standard or creative deal structures - data access partnerships, platform licensing, option-to-license arrangements, or co-development economics.
Prior exposure to partnership or licensing models in adjacent sectors such as agricultural biotech, industrial biology, or research tools.
What we offer in return
Impactful Mission: This is a rare opportunity to do work that genuinely matters. You'll join a talented, fast-moving team, access unique biological datasets at scale, and see your contributions shape real breakthroughs in AI and curative therapeutics.
Collaborative Culture: You'll be surrounded by world-class engineers, scientists, and researchers who care deeply about their work and about each other. With offices in Boston and London, we've built a flexible, cross-functional environment where personal development and real ownership aren't just talking points.
High Growth: We truly believe in investing in our people and their development, we have twice yearly promotion opportunities. People who are really successful here own it and go directly to solve problems at pace and we ensure reward increases with impact.
Comprehensive Benefits: We've built a benefits package people value. That means competitive salary, equity, pension plan, and healthcare so strong that most employees' family members opt into our plan over their own.
Salary Range: $170,000 - $210,000 base depending on skills and experience.
Apply for the job
Do you want to join our team as our new Associate Director of Business Development & Licensing? Then we'd love to hear from you!
We are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of ethnic or national origin, race, religion, sex, age, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other basis. If you have a disability or additional need that needs accommodating do let us know.
