Freelance Biotech Business Development Jobs in Indiana

Duration: This is a one-year, fixed-duration position with the possibility of extension.

IBRI is poised to transform life sciences-and for millions of people, even life itself.

The Opportunity:

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is seeking a highly experienced, dynamic Senior Director, Business Development for a one-year, fixed-duration appointment focused on accelerating Indiana's life sciences economy through business attraction and capital formation.

This role is funded through a strategic initiative in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and is designed as a high-impact, pilot effort to rapidly expand access to venture capital and recruit high-potential companies to Indiana.

Operating within IBRI but serving a broader network of statewide stakeholders, this individual will act as a connector between Indiana's scientific innovation and national investment and growth opportunities.

Responsibilities:

Business Attraction & Ecosystem Growth (Time-Bound Impact Focus)

• Identify, target, and recruit high-growth life sciences and biotechnology companies to locate or expand in Indiana
• Promote Indiana's assets, including research institutions, talent, and infrastructure to prospective companies
• Collaborate with economic development and partner organizations to align outreach and recruitment efforts
• Deliver measurable pipeline activity within the 12-month engagement period

Capital Formation & Investor Engagement

• Leverage an established network of venture capital and industry investors, particularly in leading biotech markets
• Rapidly connect Indiana-based companies with Seed and Series A funding opportunities
• Advocate for Indiana startups and secure high-value investor introductions and meetings
• Position Indiana companies to align with investor expectations and deal structures

Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work across IBRI and partner organizations to maximize resources and impact
• Serve as a shared business development resource supporting multiple stakeholders statewide
• Strengthen relationships that increase Indiana's national visibility in life sciences

Deal Advancement & Execution

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of investment and company recruitment opportunities
• Support the advancement and closing of financing transactions
• Deliver tangible outcomes within the defined one-year timeframe

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, business, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in business development, corporate development, or investment in life sciences/biotech
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered
• Demonstrated success closing Seed and/or Series A financings
• Deep network with venture capital firms, particularly biotech-focused investors
• Strong ability to translate scientific innovations into compelling investment opportunities
• Experience with business attraction, economic development, or multi-stakeholder collaboration preferred
• Advanced degree in life sciences (PhD or MS preferred) and/or MBA strongly preferred
• Ability to travel as needed for success in role

Compensation:

Competitive salary, including bonus potential, and comprehensive benefits offered commensurate with experience.

About Us:

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is a first-in-class translational medicine institute dedicated to advancing life sciences in the race to eliminate disease and improve human health and life.

By connecting early-stage biotech companies with cutting-edge life science discoveries -and backed by the mission and resources of industry leaders, investors, and philanthropic partners-IBRI is successfully evolving a new, independent model to conquer disease, uniting previously fragmented forces in the quest for cures.

Carefully curating and supporting early-stage companies with investment, talent, and space, IBRI strategically accelerates drug discovery. Our work benefits from the relatively low cost of living and doing business here, allowing more resources to be directed toward science.

Fueled by the same entrepreneurial creativity as the groundbreaking scientific work we support, IBRI's labs advance research across the frontiers of diabetes, metabolic disease, Alzheimer's disease, and rare pediatric diseases. Our ambitious public-private vision cultivates talent while efficiently bridging the gap between research-driven inquiry and profit-driven drug development.

At IBRI, cures are launched on a clear pathway to clinical trials, enabled by the combined resources and experience of our academic and industry partners, without the typical pressure to deliver rapid results for commercialization. IBRI labs pursue breakthroughs that might never happen elsewhere. Breakthroughs are happening here. Our novel financing model ensures that when discoveries are ready for clinical trials, the intellectual property is sold back to industry or spun off, creating a direct stream of revenue.

By every measure, the IBRI model demonstrates a novel approach that delivers rewards. Scientific bench work is nurtured, drug discovery is advanced, workforce development is continuous, investors see returns, and donors see impact. Most importantly, IBRI's structure and portfolio of accomplishments matter to the patients whose lives are improved-or even saved-by this forward-looking approach to life sciences.

IBRI is driven to bring next-generation therapies to market with an understanding of the complex pressures that often bind innovation to economics. After more than a decade, the evidence is clear: IBRI is poised to transform life sciences-and for millions of people, even life itself.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The IBRI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.