Do you know what it takes to turn early-stage therapeutics research into a fundable company? Are you excited about helping build BII’s presence in Århus and bringing the next generation of therapies from the lab to the startup stage?
Then we might have the perfect opportunity at BioInnovation Institute, where we are looking for a Principal to join the Human Health team in our Venture Creation department, with a focus primarily on therapeutics.
Your Opportunity to Join BII!
The BioInnovation Institute (BII) is a non-profit foundation established by the Novo Nordisk Foundation in 2018. Its mission is to accelerate research and startups to bring forward bold solutions that improve human and planetary health. BII supports collaborative, interdisciplinary innovation across Life Sciences and Deep Tech, helping transform cutting-edge research into viable companies so that new discoveries can deliver real impact for people and society.
As a Principal, you will join BII’s Human Health team, one of three specialist teams in our Venture Creation department alongside Planetary Health and Quantum. Based in Århus, you will play a key role in establishing BII’s regional presence together with local colleagues and in close collaboration with the Human Health team in Copenhagen. You will scout and assess early-stage therapeutics innovation across a range of modalities and indications – with the opportunity to expand into health tech – and support academics and founders on their journey from lab to fundable company. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are eager to make a real difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you!
Your Key Responsibilities Will Include
- Build relationships with key local academic and commercial stakeholders and institutions to establish and develop BII’s regional presence and innovation ecosystem support in Århus/Jutland
- Drive day-to-day business activities and operations to set up BII’s premises in Århus together with local colleagues and in close collaboration with Human Health team members
- Engage with local academics and founders to identify early-stage innovation and conduct due diligence on opportunities across BII’s broad remit, covering a range of modalities and indications primarily within therapeutics, with the opportunity to expand into health tech
- Support selected startups and company creation projects through BII’s incubation programs – from application and selection to progress monitoring, milestone delivery, connecting to relevant networks and the transition to independent spinouts and follow-on investment rounds
- Map the landscape to identify gaps and emerging trends relevant to BII’s mission within Human Health
- Help establish and maintain partnerships with relevant stakeholders across the broader innovation ecosystem, including corporates, investors and public funding bodies
- Represent BII at relevant conferences, events and networks
- Provide support across BII, help optimize processes and approaches, and offer professional sparring and coaching to colleagues
Professional & Personal Qualifications
We are looking for an experienced venture builder eager to move promising therapeutics from the lab to a startup. Ideally, you bring:
- An MSc, PhD or MD relevant to therapeutics; an MBA or equivalent business experience is a plus
- 10+ years of relevant experience, including a demonstrated track record of supporting and/or driving the commercialization of life science innovations, e.g. at a VC/investor, start-up, accelerator or TTO
- Experience maturing translational, early-stage, research-backed therapeutics projects towards spin-out and investment, e.g. from universities, incubators, accelerators or investors
- The ability to evaluate and develop therapeutics innovation from scientific, technical and commercial perspectives, and to distinguish research projects from venture-backable projects
- A demonstrated ability to build networks and maintain relationships within the Danish research and innovation ecosystem, as well as the wider Scandinavian/EU area – hands-on experience with the Århus ecosystem is a plus
- Strong interpersonal skills and build long-lasting relationships at any level
- Excellent communication and presentation skills in English
You will be one of two BII Principals in Århus, alongside our Planetary Health Principal, and part of a growing team across Copenhagen and our international hubs. You should therefore be comfortable working independently and collaborating across locations.
Working at BII
At BII we offer a purpose-driven community where science and innovation create meaningful change and impact in society. BII’s entrepreneurial environment is shaped and nurtured every day by our employees, start-ups, and everyone who joins us in bringing science to life. This role offers a unique opportunity to join Europe’s largest innovation and incubation initiative within life sciences and deep tech.
BII is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, at Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N. From Copenhagen, the Secretariat supports strategy, governance, and coordination across BII’s international activities.
This position is based in Århus. From here, you will help build BII's presence in Jutland with a high degree of local autonomy and collaborate closely with the Venture Creation team.
See our open positions at BII on our career page or on LinkedIn.
Equal Opportunities
At BII, we believe innovation starts with people. As a community of changemakers, we believe the best ideas emerge when people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences come together around a shared purpose.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace built on equal opportunities, where everyone can thrive and where pay is fair, equitable, and based on the principle of equal pay for equal work. We welcome all applications regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or socio-economic background.
Curious for more?
If you are curious to know more about the position, please contact Johanna Roostalu, Director of the Human Health team at jro@bii.dk .
To apply, please send your CV and academic certificate(s) as well as answer the screening questions by clicking the “Apply now” button. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible and no later than 23rd of October.
The interview process is expected to take place in November. The preferred start date is around January 2027; however, we are flexible and will consider individual notice periods and availability.
