Member of the ARUK Drug Discovery Alliance Advisory Group

Closing Date

31 Oct 2022

About ARUK and the role

Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) is UK’s leading dementia research charity. Strongly believing in the power of research to change the future, we are on a mission to achieve a world free from the harm and heartbreak of dementia. The Drug Discovery Alliance (DDA), launched in 2015, is an ambitious drug discovery initiative that aims to bridge the gap between research taking place in universities across the UK and drug development expertise in pharmaceutical companies. The Alliance is composed by three cutting-edge drug discovery institutes at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and University College London, all working to translate new findings from academic research into potential dementia treatments as quickly as possible.

A Director of Business Development has been recently appointed to further the coordination of efforts across the three institutes and additional drug discovery initiatives. To support us in accelerating dementia drug discovery, ARUK is currently looking to recruit new members to join the ARUK-DDA Advisory Group (ADAG).

Members of the ADAG are leading figures in drug discovery from both industry and academia, whose role strongly contributes to advancing translational efforts by providing advice on the DDA’s strategy and key decision-making. As a member of the ADAG, you will play a vital role in reviewing, on an annual basis, the progress of each drug discovery institute and make recommendations to ARUK’s Board of Trustees about the renewal of the annual contracts. You will also provide independent steer about the overall operation of the DDA.

Finally, as the Alliance is approaching its next quinquennial review, you will have the unique opportunity to be involved in this in-depth analysis of the achievements and outcomes of the DDA. ARUK is seeking applicants with national or international expertise in drug discovery and translational research on an academic and/or industry setting.

Considering the current developmental stage of the portfolios within the DDA, ARUK would encourage applications from candidates with expertise in late-stage preclinical drug discovery or early clinical stage development, and/or with experience in the setup of spin-offs, start-ups or biotech companies. Knowledge of neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases is desirable, but applicants with expertise in other areas of human disease or systems biology are also welcome.

We welcome applicants from all communities, backgrounds, and geographies in order that we reflect the diverse nature of the people we serve and who support us. The ARUK-DDA Advisory Group The ADAG meets once a year with ARUK and the CSOs, the Leadership Teams of each drug discovery institute and the DDA Director of Business Development. The meetings take place, when possible, in person at ARUK’s head office in Granta Park, near Cambridge.

We ask all our ADAG members to commit to attending meetings, where possible. The work of the ADAG is further supported by external peer reviewers who also assess the reports submitted by the CSO of each drug discovery institute and provide comments. Members of the ADAG are appointed for three years which can be renewed once by mutual agreement. Roles are unremunerated, but reasonable expenses (e.g., travel) will be reimbursed.

Please note that ADAG members cannot be employed by either of the three host universities or have close personal or professional links with the leadership of the DDIs.

Application Details

To be considered for this role, please send your application including CV and cover letter to sara.rodrigues@alzheimersresearchuk.org.

To learn more about ARUK, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK website. If you are interested in this role and would like to discuss further details, please contact Sara Rodrigues (sara.rodrigues@alzheimersresearchuk.org).

The closing date for applications is the 31st of October 2022.