Life Sciences Project Manager – Program AI-driven Drug discovery & Development
Initial 6 month freelance contract + possible extensions
Leuven, Belgium (3 days onsite / 2 days remote per week)
40 hours/week
English & Dutch speaking
ASAP start
As a Life Science Project Manager in a mission-driven program focused on next-generation drug discovery and development. Alongside project coordination, you conduct targeted research to identify knowledge gaps and generate insights beyond the current state of the art. These insights help shape informed and future-oriented strategic decisions.
The assignment
* Manage day-to-day project operations by coordinating, maintaining accurate documentation, managing action items, and ensuring clear communication across teams. Track milestones, deliverables, risks, and timelines to support high-quality project execution. Monitor progress, flag potential delays, and prepare structured status updates for the Program Manager.
* Contribute to project definition, planning, and roadmap development by providing systematic follow-up on activities, delivering clear and timely research updates, and supporting prioritization of tasks based on scientific and operational insights.
* Conduct targeted research in the drug discovery and development domain to uncover knowledge gaps and compile scientific or technological insights that go beyond the state of the art, enabling more informed and forward-looking strategic decisions.
* Ensure accurate, well-structured documentation of research results, analyses, and project learnings.
* Support dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities by preparing scientific or operational presentations, drafting reports, summarizing research outputs, and assisting in organizing workshops, meetings, or external events.
Required knowledge and skills
* Strong educational background in Life Sciences, Medicine, Bioengineering, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, or a related discipline, providing a solid foundation in biological, clinical, or therapeutic principles.
* 3-5 years of experience in project management in a life-science or healthcare R&D setting, such as coordinating interdisciplinary teams, managing timelines and deliverables, and ensuring rigorous follow-up of research or innovation activities.
* Demonstrated research skills (in academic or industrial setting) within the life-science or drug discovery domain, such as the ability to analyse scientific information, interpret experimental or clinical data, and translate insights into well-structured research tasks or recommendations.
* Experience in translating life-science domain expertise, such as molecular biology, pharmacology, clinical workflows, therapeutic development or similar, into actionable technological or digital solutions relevant to drug discovery and development is considered a strong asset.
* Effective communicator and collaborator, capable of connecting researchers, clinicians, data scientists, and technology developers and facilitating alignment within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Knowledge of and experience with the regional ecosystem in drug discovery and development is considered a strong asset.