About the job
We are seeking a highly experienced executive to spearhead and expand Convergent's initiatives in the UK, adeptly navigating the interplay of groundbreaking science, institutional design, and UK science policy. As the Partner for UK Operations & Programs, you will lead our partnership with ARIA, oversee our UK Residency program, establish a robust on-the-ground team and infrastructure, participate in FRO boards, and represent Convergent within the UK science and policy landscape. Your role will involve liaising with ARIA, UKRI, Innovate UK, and government leaders, while upholding our commitment to ambitious and high-integrity scientific endeavors. If you have a proven track record of building teams and organizations from the ground up, possess an understanding of both startup dynamics and UK public sector operations, and are passionate about the potential of British science policy to drive transformative breakthroughs, you will thrive in this environment.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Convergent Research is dedicated to launching innovative scientific institutions known as Focused Research Organizations (FROs). These entities are strategically designed to address technological bottlenecks, open new fields of inquiry, and catalyze large-scale revolutions. Imagine the innovative spirit of Bell Labs applied to the realm of single-cell proteomics. To date, we have successfully established over 10 FROs globally, proving the effectiveness of our model, having raised over $350 million and generated an additional $300 million in follow-on investments. We are now poised for intentional growth in the UK, marking a pivotal moment in our expansion journey.
Last year, we proudly became an ARIA Activation Partner and successfully launched our inaugural UK Residency program, through which we identified and nurtured two new UK FROs for ARIA funding. Additionally, we established a legal presence in the UK. This year, we are rolling out Version 2 of the Residency, broadening our operational footprint, enhancing our network across British research institutions and funding bodies, and building the team that will cement Convergent's role in the UK science ecosystem.
This position is vital as our UK expansion presents both tremendous opportunities and significant operational complexities. The individual who joins this role will shape our UK (and broader European) strategy. We need not only a strong strategic leader but also someone who can collaborate effectively with our US-based team to manage UK-specific infrastructure related to hiring, systems, governance, and partnerships, while simultaneously cultivating a portfolio of world-class FROs that align with Convergent's renowned speed, ambition, and scientific rigor.
