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External Innovation Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

External Innovation & Ventures Collaboration * Serve as a scientific leader in sourcing, evaluating, and advancing external opportunities aligned with emerging immunobiology and therapeutic ...

The role also requires cross-functional collaboration with R&D, External Innovation, Medical & Science, Translational Science, Computational Drug Discovery (CDD), Global Research Technologies (GRT ...

External Innovation & Ventures Collaboration * Serve as a scientific leader in sourcing, evaluating, and advancing external opportunities aligned with emerging immunobiology and therapeutic ...

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External Innovation information

What is external innovation?

External innovation refers to the process where organizations seek new ideas, technologies, or partnerships from outside their own company to drive growth and stay competitive. This can involve collaborating with startups, universities, research institutions, or other companies to access fresh perspectives and expertise. By leveraging external resources, businesses can accelerate product development, expand into new markets, and reduce risks associated with innovation. External innovation is often part of a broader open innovation strategy, emphasizing collaboration beyond traditional organizational boundaries.

How does an external innovation professional typically collaborate with internal teams to drive successful partnerships and projects?

External Innovation professionals work closely with various internal stakeholders, such as R&D, product management, legal, and business development teams, to identify needs and evaluate potential external partners. They facilitate communication between internal decision-makers and external organizations, ensuring alignment on goals, timelines, and deliverables. This role often involves coordinating cross-functional meetings, managing due diligence processes, and translating external opportunities into actionable internal projects. Effective collaboration is key to integrating external innovations smoothly and maximizing value for the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in external innovation, and why are they important?

To thrive in External Innovation, you need a strong background in business development, market analysis, and scientific or technical expertise relevant to your industry, often supported by a degree in business, science, or engineering. Familiarity with innovation management tools, intellectual property systems, and platforms for scouting emerging technologies is highly valuable. Exceptional networking, negotiation, and cross-functional communication skills set top performers apart in this field. These abilities are crucial for successfully identifying, evaluating, and integrating external opportunities that drive organizational growth and competitiveness.

What is the difference between External Innovation vs R&D Specialist?

AspectExternal InnovationR&D Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in business, innovation management, or related fieldsRequires a degree in engineering, science, or related technical disciplines
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with external partners, startups, and innovation hubsWorks primarily within R&D departments of companies or labs
Industry UsageCommon in industries focusing on open innovation and external partnershipsFound in industries with in-house research and development teams
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for roles involving external collaboration and innovation strategyCompared for technical research and product development roles

External Innovation focuses on leveraging external partners and open innovation strategies, while R&D Specialists conduct internal research and development. Both roles are vital for innovation but differ in their approach and environment.

What are popular job titles related to External Innovation jobs in Massachusetts?

For External Innovation jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching External Innovation jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for External Innovation jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for External Innovation jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most External Innovation job openings:

Infographic showing various External Innovation job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Head of Immunobiology, Cambridge

Biogen

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$250K - $344K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Biogen rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

About This Role

Biogen is seeking an accomplished scientific leader to serve as Head of Immunobiology, Cambridge, within the Immunology Research Unit (IRU). Based in Cambridge, MA, this senior role will help shape and continuously evolve Biogen's immunology strategy at a time of strong momentum, integrating cuttingedge disease biology with fitforpurpose therapeutic approaches to advance programs from early discovery through early clinical development.

The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in driving innovation under Biogen's Open Innovation model, combining deep internal scientific capabilities with a strong external ecosystem to translate highimpact biology into differentiated medicines. This includes identifying and advancing emerging biological insights, leading scientific diligence, and establishing highvalue collaborations with academic leaders and biotech partners.

In parallel, this leader will provide scientific and strategic oversight for a growing internal pipeline of immunology programs, guiding discovery and translational teams as programs mature toward development. Working in close partnership with Research, Translational Medicine, Business Development, and Ventures, the role will contribute to expanding and differentiating Biogen's immunology portfolio by advancing emerging areas of immunology-such as immune regulation, tissuespecific immunity, and complex inflammatory disease biology-while applying disciplined modality selection to ensure the most effective therapeutic approach is aligned to each mechanism and unmet patient need.

What You'll Do:

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Advancement

  • Define and execute a forwardlooking immunobiology strategy across autoimmune and inflammatory indications, grounded in strong human disease biology.

  • Drive programs from target discovery and validation through INDenabling studies, ensuring robust mechanistic understanding and diseaserelevant data.

  • Partner closely with translational medicine, early clinical development, and external collaborators to accelerate progression of highvalue programs.

External Innovation & Ventures Collaboration

  • Serve as a scientific leader in sourcing, evaluating, and advancing external opportunities aligned with emerging immunobiology and therapeutic innovation.

  • Collaborate with Biogen's Business Development, External Innovation, and Ventures teams to assess partnerships, collaborations, licensing, and investment opportunities.

  • Represent Biogen within the external scientific ecosystem, including academic collaborations, consortia, and strategic partnerships.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

  • Build and lead a highperforming Cambridgebased team focused on immunobiology, translational science, and early innovation.

  • Foster a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, and inclusion.

  • Mentor and develop scientific leaders and teams across career stages.

Scientific Expertise & Thought Leadership

  • Act as a recognized scientific leader in immunobiology, with the ability to integrate emerging biological insights with effective therapeutic strategies.

  • Maintain awareness of scientific and competitive trends to inform portfolio and strategy decisions.

  • Contribute to external publications, presentations, and thought leadership that reinforce Biogen's leadership in immunology research.

Who You Are

You are a strategic, biologyfirst scientific leader with deep expertise in immunology and a track record of advancing innovative programs from early discovery into development. You thrive in a matrixed, collaborative environment and are motivated by translating emerging biological insights into differentiated therapies for patients.

Required Skills

  • Ph.D. in Immunology or a related field with 15+ years of academic and/or industry experience.

  • Demonstrated success leading discovery and translational research programs toward early clinical development.

  • Deep understanding of immunobiology and human disease mechanisms across autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

  • Proven experience building and leading scientific teams.

  • Strong capability in leading external collaborations and scientific diligence efforts.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience integrating biology with a range of therapeutic approaches (biologics, small molecules, or other advanced modalities).

  • Familiarity with humanrelevant disease models and translational application of immunology to patient biology.

  • Prior experience engaging in external innovation, partnerships, or venturerelated activities.


Job Level: Management


Additional Information

The base compensation range for this role is: $250,000.00-$344,000.00


Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.


Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.


In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees' and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
  • Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
  • A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
  • Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
  • 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
  • Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
  • 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
  • Employee Resource Groups participation

Why Biogen?

We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.


At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired.Read onto learn more about Biogen.


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.


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About Biogen

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Biogen, our mission is clear - we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Together, our employees create, commercialize, and manufacture transformative therapies for our patient population.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Cambridge, MA, US

Year founded

1978

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