Associate, LifeArc Ventures

LifeArc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job description

Industry: Venture capital and private equity

Application process: Please submit your CV and cover letter via the apply button. The interview process will include a series of interviews, and a case study to assess structured thinking, scientific and commercial judgment, and communication skills. Please note that the closing date is 6 th March 2026

Agencies: We will only work with recruitment partners on our preferred supplier list and will not engage with speculative CVs submitted.

About the role

LifeArc Ventures is the venture capital arm of LifeArc and invests globally in innovative, early-stage life sciences companies. LifeArc Ventures invests up to £15m (c.$20m) per company in Seed to Series B opportunities alongside leading global syndicates. The fund is long term capital which draws from LifeArc’s balance sheet derived mainly from Keytruda royalties. Since inception in 2020, the fund has invested in 20 companies including four new companies in 2025.

LifeArc Ventures are seeking an Associate to join the LifeArc Ventures investment team, based in London. The role holder will work with the team on dedicated projects, primarily related to new investment opportunities and/or existing portfolio companies and will be pro-actively involved with deal sourcing and deal flow pipeline. This person will participate in due diligence, assessment of scientific and product development plans, analysis of markets and competitive environments, evaluating and benchmarking business models, and landscaping of therapeutic areas/indications. The role requires strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to engage with scientific, clinical, and commercial questions in a venture capital environment.

The role holder will formally report into one of the Partners who will provide regular feedback and support for personal & career development.

Key responsibilities include

• Deal flow sourcing at scientific and industry conferences, through relationships with entrepreneurs and via network of peers at other venture capital firms
• Support the deal flow selection & evaluation process
• Independently assess the viability of new investment opportunities; including structuring and executing due diligence processes (science, clinical, development, commercial, organisational, legal/IP and financial). This will include
  • Market sizing, trends, opportunities, landscaping therapeutic areas, technologies and targets;
  • Scientific assessments & reviews;
  • Clinical needs, therapeutic issues, medical interviews (KOLs);
  • Technology assessments and product comparisons;
  • Business plan modelling, financial projections, variance analysis;
  • Tracking of financing, trade sale and IPO activity in the sector;
• Draft necessary investment documentation for discussion in the LifeArc Ventures Investment Committee
• Attend relevant webinars, events and conferences to identify industry trends, develop network, identify potential investment opportunities, and feedback to the team
• Support the team in general and conducting ad hoc projects as they arise
• Be a thought partner for the investment team, with the ability to work independently and form your own hypotheses

About you

The successful candidate will need to have an exceptional academic background in a life sciences’ related field (PhD or MD qualification). You will bring several years of professional experience from either a similar venture capital environment, or strategy consulting, life sciences consulting, equity research or investment banking, or from a life sciences industry M&A/business development role. You will have a broad knowledge base of the life sciences/pharma industry and a passion to make an impact and will be comfortable liaising with leading experts across the life sciences ecosystem — accomplished healthcare practitioners, scientists, industry leaders, and other relevant professionals.

Education required

• University degree in life sciences from a leading institution combined with a PhD or MD qualification or equivalent
• Demonstrable relevant experience in an operational, consulting and/or investment environment in the life sciences sector, gained either with a leading consulting/investment/VC/PE firm or a leading life sciences industry company. From this experience will have gained a sound understanding of the drug development process and potential exposure to a variety of deals

Skills & abilities

• Outstanding analytical skills with the ability to understand the scientific, technical, business and financial aspects of life science investment opportunities
• In-depth understanding and experience in digging deep into facts, issues, and data with the ability to interpret those, collate findings and independently draw adequate conclusions from his/her work
• Strong financial modelling skills with advanced command of MS Excel. Ability to quickly master new tools, and to find relevant information on both the internet and in proprietary databases
• Outstanding communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to present complex issues in a clear and concise way and to adapt communication styles to different audiences
• Fluent in both spoken and written English with a strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely – any other languages are a plus
• Required to be based in London with eligibility to work in the UK

What we can offer you

Focused on finding life changing solutions for underserved patients, our people thrive in an inclusive, and supportive environment that prioritises their health and wellbeing. Our multidisciplinary approach guarantees our people growth opportunities, while our culture of innovation and collaboration drives the impact we make delivering on our purpose of ‘putting patients at the centre of everything we do’.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse, flexible, equitable and happy work environment so our colleagues can thrive as their truest selves. We act with courage, curiosity, care & commitment to deliver quality & excellence for our patients and each other Join us, and you’ll be given the scope to develop your professional skills and experience in a safe, supportive and challenging environment

Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience along with other exceptional benefits. Because we understand everyone has different requirements, our flexible benefits allow you to choose those which are important to you. Our pension scheme offers employer contributions of up to 12%, private health insurance, and annual leave of 31 days PLUS bank holidays.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds, for example, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At LifeArc Ventures, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so whatever your background or lived experience, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for our team

We all have potential. At LifeArc Ventures, you’ll discover what you can really do with it.

At LifeArc, we commit to advancing equal opportunities and building a diverse workforce by ensuring a fair, inclusive, and accessible recruitment experience for all. We employ individuals based on their suitability for the work to be performed and their potential for development, regardless of age, sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion, or belief. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion includes creating a culture where everyone feels they belong, is valued for who they are and has the opportunity to translate their potential.

We want every candidate to do their very best. If you require special assistance or reasonable adjustments, please be sure to let us know in advance what will be most useful for you and / or to discuss your needs.