Deputy Director

The AI-driven Drug Discovery (AIDD) programme , a national initiative funded by the National Research Foundation and hosted by A*STAR, is seeking a Deputy Director to help lead its mission to transform drug discovery through AI and data science. This role is ideal for a mid-career professional with a strong scientific foundation, sharp analytical thinking and the ambition to contribute beyond traditional administrative functions. As part of the AIDD core team, you will work closely with scientific leads and ecosystem partners to coordinate research activities, support strategic projects and help shape partnerships. The Deputy Director will be responsible for programme administrative support as well as strategic planning, business development, and stakeholder engagement, and is expected to contribute meaningfully across these areas with a high degree of independence. We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, translational research environment with intellectual curiosity, drive, and the ability to learn quickly. Job Responsibilities Partner with the management team to shape and implement AIDD's long-term strategy and annual workplans, including (but not limited to) resource allocation, programme tracking and strategic planning, developing systems and processes that enhance programme effectiveness Work alongside the management team and scientific and technical leads to translate high level strategic priorities into actionable milestones, align priorities and manage research and innovation deliverables, identifying opportunities for differentiation and value capture in AI/ML-enabled drug discovery Oversee the operational aspects of the programme including (but not limited to) budgets, documentation, logistics, and scheduling, while maintaining a systems-thinking approach Drive internal meetings, reporting, and cross-institution collaborations, ensuring projects stay on track and risks are identified and addressed early Ensures compliance with governance, internal policies and audit requirements Lead ecosystem mapping and identify opportunities to catalyse collaborations and investments Build and strengthen strategic partnerships across industry, academia, government and international collaborators, including preparing presentations and reports independently; represent AIDD at high-level stakeholder meetings and forums Oversee the administration of extramural funding, including designing and managing the application and review processes, coordinating disbursement, and ensuring compliance with governance requirements Track and coordinate reporting requirements for both internal and external funded projects, working closely with research performers and institutional administrators Requirements Bachelor's, Master's, PhD or other advanced degree in a relevant field such as bioinformatics, biomedical sciences, computational biology, or engineering; candidates with strong translational/industry experience and a Master\'s may also be considered At least 10-12 years of relevant work experience, including proven leadership in research management, operations and strategy roles; Experience in biotech/pharma innovation strongly preferred Strong understanding of the research ecosystems particularly in life sciences or biotech/pharma domains, with exposure to AI/ML in life sciences strongly preferred Demonstrated ability to engage senior stakeholders across government, academia, and industry, and to translate between scientific, technical, and policy perspectives Strong financial and operational management skills, including experience with budgets, grants, and contracts Demonstrated experience with tools such as MS Project, Excel, or other project management systems is an advantage Demonstrated project or programme coordination experience in research, consulting, or innovation-focused environments Experience in cloud computing (AWS/GCP) and software development is an advantage Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; strong writing ability is a must Excellent interpersonal skills Proactive, intellectually curious and adaptable #J-18808-Ljbffr