Description

The Indiana University Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) is Indiana University's flagship initiative to translate its $1 billion research enterprise into real-world impact - advancing disease prevention and treatment, fueling entrepreneurship, and expanding Indiana's $99 billion life sciences economy. Located at 16 Tech in Indianapolis and supported by a $138 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., IU LAB will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, startup incubators, and workforce development programs. Through the Bio Startup Center and the new IU Health Incubator, IU LAB will accelerate innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship in areas such as medical devices, diagnostics, and technology. By bringing together researchers, clinicians, students, entrepreneurs, and industry partners, IU LAB is designed to become a national model for university-industry collaboration.

Job Summary

Indiana University is seeking a visionary and entrepreneurial leader to serve as Executive Director of the IU LAB Bio Start-Up Center, a cornerstone initiative designed to drive innovation in biosciences, biotechnology, and health-related AI.
Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Guides start-ups from formation to venture-scale readiness, securing funding, establishing industry partnerships, and launching products that address key challenges in the biosciences and biotech sectors. The Start-up Center will support IU faculty, students, and alumni who aspire to transform their discoveries and ideas into marketable products. It will also assist individuals who do not have a direct IU affiliation. This is a key leadership role to advance IU's commercialization and industry engagement strategy by connecting cutting-edge research with corporate, foundation, and venture partners to drive start-up creation, translational research, and societal impact.
• Shapes the Bio Start-up Center's vision and operations, develop strategic partnerships, and lead high-impact initiatives at the intersection of biosciences and technology.
• Oversees the IU Health Incubator at IU LAB and its operating partners, Plug and Play, gener8tor, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership - to support up to 40 human health industry startups per year by translating IU's nearly $1 billion research enterprise and bringing startups from all over the world to central Indiana.
• Collaborates closely with IU LAB's leadership team as the key conduit across IU's entrepreneurial, development, and commercialization offices across campuses.
• Develops and executes a strategic roadmap to support and graduate bioscience startups originating from IU and beyond.
• Manages day-to-day operations of the IU Health Incubator, including oversight of key partners such as gener8tor, Plug and Play, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.
• Serves as the main liaison between IU LAB and its entrepreneurial community, internally across IU and externally with industry, investors, and other stakeholders.
• Acts as the "front door" for bioscience entrepreneurship at IU, connecting innovators with programs like IU Innovates, IU Ventures, and the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO).
• Develops and oversees structured programs such as Founders-in-Residence, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and support pathways for SBIR/STTR funding and IP disclosure.
• Aligns the Center's goals with the IU 2030 Strategic Plan, tracking key performance indicators such as start-up creation, venture funding, and participation metrics.
• Provides coaching, advisory, and mentorship support to early-stage entrepreneurs on business strategy, fundraising, IP, FDA pathways, and commercialization.
• Oversees transitions of companies into the IU Health Incubator at IU LAB and to growth programs or facilities.
• Manages all aspects of the Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation (ICBI), including programming, space utilization, and operational coordination with IU Health for facilities and equipment management.
• Guides founders in preparing for investment, applying for funding or clinical trials, and accessing commercialization resources.

General Responsibilities

• Contributes on senior leadership teams to formulate strategic planning and the highest-level operational objectives for Innovation and Commercialization.
• Establishes long-term business plans and long-term strategic objectives.
• Directs leadership staff who provide supervision to Innovation and Commercialization teams.
• Responsible for escalated operational issues, including human resources and/or people management situations.
• Drives innovation and excellence within the area of Innovation and Commercialization; reviews and creates policies and procedures.
• Determines overall budget for Innovation and Commercialization teams; reviews and approves financial proposals from direct reporting leaders; has significant fiscal responsibilities that require frequent interaction with executive leaders.
• Provides expertise and identifies grant and/or funding opportunities; develops business relationships across the university and externally.
• Stays up-to-date on new Innovation and Commercialization standards, technologies, policies, and procedures and works collaboratively with other Innovation and Commercialization leaders across departments and/or campuses in determining standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures; ensures the adoption and implementation by direct reporting leaders.
• Serve diverse stakeholders in developing and commercializing transformational science.
• Supports educational programs and initiatives for faculty, research scientists, and graduate students on topics related to technology commercialization and innovation planning.
• Provides leadership and oversight of Technology Development and Licensing.
• Ensures that the technology development and licensing activities are integrated and coordinated so that researchers are supported by service-oriented employees responsible for promoting innovation and commercialization.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION
Required

• Bachelor's degree in science related field

Preferred

• Ph.D or Terminal Degree in a science related field

WORK EXPERIENCE
Required

• 10 years of relevant experience

Preferred

• 10 years in life sciences entrepreneurship, start-up incubation/acceleration, or venture development
• Proven track record as a founder, early-stage executive, investor, or high-level support professional in the life sciences
• Deep knowledge of commercialization processes, including SBIR/STTR, FDA regulatory pathways, IP protection, and early-stage fundraising
• Experience working across academia, industry, and entrepreneurial ecosystems to form strategic collaborations
• Skilled in team leadership, organizational development, and multi-stakeholder engagement

SKILLS
Required

• Effective leadership skills
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidential information
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Effective communication skills, spoken and digital
• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills
• Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
• Effective conflict management skills
• Builds and manages effective teams
• Effective leadership skills
• Ability to represent the company with external constituents
• Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
• Demonstrates problem solving skills
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidential information

Preferred

• Strong leadership and interpersonal communication skills
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and foster inclusive, high-performing teams
• Ability to cultivate partnerships and motivate stakeholders across campuses and sectors
• Expertise in bioscience entrepreneurship support, including funding acquisition and ecosystem navigation
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional, multi-campus environment

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses
Based out of IU LAB's Offices at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure .

Job Classification

Career Level: Strategic
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Research
Job Family: Innovation & Commercialization
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.