Business Developer - Life Sciences / Biotech Booster

Drive innovation in biotech. Translate cutting-edge research into real-world impact at the interface of science, business and society.

Luris, the knowledge transfer office of Leiden University, is looking for a Business Developer with a background in Life Sciences, preferably with a background in small molecules, vaccines and / or drug development platform technologies (0,8/1,0 fte).

As a Business Developer at Luris you translate (academic) ideas and scientific results into practical innovations. In order to do this, you scout for valuable ideas, translate them to intellectual property portfolios, do and/or manage market studies and manage relationships between academics and external partners. You help academics to start companies or build partnerships with existing companies and institutions. All with the goal of delivering a societal, commercial and/or financial impact from their research activities. Such partnerships may take the form of research collaborations, technology licenses, or entrepreneurial ventures.

This position is part of the Biotech Booster Thematic Cluster 5 (TC5): small molecules, vaccines and / or drug development platform technologies. This means that, next to the Leiden University context, you will also be working nationally: scouting, ranking and coaching projects from other knowledge institutes or biotech startups. Together with both the LURIS team and the Biotech Booster team you look for opportunities which can be further developed with existing or spin-out companies, and then negotiate, define and manage the different relationships and objectives to deliver specific positive results.

You have a passion for life science and technology. You have an out-going team-playing personality and you thrive in a dynamic environment. You have a strong affinity with intellectual property, relationship management/account management and commercial deal making. You are goal focused and take pride in facilitating stakeholders to work together in successful collaborations.

You will work closely in a dynamic and supportive team environment, with experience in entrepreneurship, deal making, life science technology, finance, and grant development and all associated legal expertise.

What you will do
The core tasks of a Luris Business Developer are to create new opportunities, complete deals, and maintain effective relationships. To be effective you are acutely aware of stakeholders' drivers. You liaise between them and appreciate the different worlds they come from.

• • Scouting of new ideas
  • Creating a valorisation plan together with the researchers
  • Creating a valorisation package (IP, know-how, tangible assets)
  • Bringing the valorisation to practice by leading the valorisation effort

Where you will work
Luris creates and facilitates the network between Leiden academics and public and private partners, with a focus on generating impact on society from research, knowledge and innovation.

We support academics from Leiden University in their ambition to progress and develop their research. To achieve that aim, we work closely with the academics, companies, and many other stakeholders in the Leiden ecosystem. We have our office at PLNT, the Leiden Centre for Entrepreneurship, in the Leiden city centre. On top of this, you operate as part of the Biotech Booster team, which means that you will also visit other universities regularly and weekly meet the Biotech Booster team in Utrecht.

What you bring
In this team, we are looking for someone who can work independently but strives to make more of the team as well. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will look together at what you need, and draw up a development plan. This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:

• relevant working experience in the life sciences field;
• relevant experience in bringing innovations to the market including with entrepreneurs/investors;
• experience in research related collaborative relationships and management;
• background in, or affinity with industry;
• working knowledge of Intellectual Property;
• relevant professional experience of at least three years, a PhD in Life Science or comparable experience is of benefit; and
• proficient in English (written and spoken) and working knowledge in Dutch; non-native speakers should have the ability to acquire working knowledge of Dutch within a year.

If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!

What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of one year with a view to permanent employment. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 4728,- (scale 11) and a maximum of € 7297,- (scale 12) gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands, but we strive to work in-person when possible;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

What we find important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Stéfan Ellenbroek, Manager LSH Entrepreneurship and Manager Biotech Booster TC5 at +31 6 10705608. You can apply until 14 November 2025; applications will be processed immediately.

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

• We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate.
• A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this.