Portfolio Manager, Life Sciences

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious national agency in Singapore is looking for a highly agile and strategic Portfolio Manager in Life Sciences. The role involves leading portfolio management for life science assets, conducting commercial due diligence, and developing intellectual property strategies. Ideal candidates should have a PhD in a life sciences discipline and experience in venture capital, consulting, or drug development. Strong stakeholder management and adaptability are essential for success in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in biomedical sciences, pharmacology, molecular biology, or related field.
• Experience in venture capital, consulting, biotech, pharma, or drug development.
• Hands on experience with intellectual property strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end portfolio management across biotech programs.
• Conduct commercial due diligence for new investment opportunities.
• Develop and execute IP strategies with legal and tech transfer teams.

Skills

Portfolio Management

Commercial Due Diligence

Stakeholder Management

Intellectual Property Strategy

Strategic Thinking

Adaptability

Education

PhD in relevant life sciences discipline

Job description

Overview

The Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi), hosted by A*STAR, is Singapore's national platform dedicated to advancing RNA-based medicines and revolutionising drug and vaccine development. NATi's mission is to establish Singapore as a globally recognised hub of excellence in nucleic acid therapeutics research, clinical translation, and commercialisation. NATi focuses on key RNA modalities such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA). To drive this vision, NATi is building a biotech-like translational engine focused on asset and technology development spanning discovery to clinical development. We are actively seeking passionate and committed individuals with deep translational expertise to join us in advancing the next generation of RNA-based therapeutics.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly agile and strategic Portfolio Manager, Life Sciences with experience in venture capital, consulting, biotech and/or drug development. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping, managing, and advancing a diverse portfolio of life science assets and initiatives, from early discovery through translational and commercial inflection points. This role requires a rare combination of scientific depth, commercial acumen, and strategic execution capability, with demonstrated experience in commercial due diligence, intellectual property strategy, stakeholder engagement, and grants management. Experience in ophthalmology is an advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio & Strategic Management: Lead end to end portfolio management across multiple biotech and therapeutic programs, ensuring strategic alignment, prioritisation, and value creation.
• Evaluate scientific, technical, and commercial merit of assets across stages of development, supporting go/no go decisions and portfolio optimisation.
• Work closely with scientific, clinical, and operational teams to drive progress against defined milestones in fast moving, uncertain environments.

Commercial Due Diligence & Investment Support

• Conduct and/or oversee commercial due diligence for new investment opportunities, technologies, and programs, including market sizing, competitive landscape, value proposition, and risk assessment.
• Support investment, partnering, or spin out decisions by integrating scientific, IP, regulatory, and commercial insights into clear recommendations.
• Engage with external advisors, KOLs, and industry partners to validate assumptions and strengthen decision making.

Intellectual Property & Asset Strategy

• Develop and execute IP strategies in collaboration with legal counsel and technology transfer teams to protect and maximise asset value.
• Assess freedom to operate, patent landscapes, and IP risks as part of portfolio and diligence activities.
• Ensure IP considerations are tightly integrated with scientific and commercial strategies from early stages.

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Management

• Act as a key interface between internal teams and external stakeholders, including academics, clinicians, industry partners, investors, and government agencies.
• Prepare and present high quality materials for senior leadership, boards, and external committees.
• Build trusted relationships across a complex ecosystem to accelerate translation and partnerships.

Grants & Funding Management

• Experience in grant strategy and management, including funding alignment, reporting, compliance, and milestone tracking.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Highly agile, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguity.
• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to move seamlessly between high level vision and detailed execution.
• Credible communicator able to translate complex science into clear commercial and strategic narratives.
• Collaborative, proactive, and outcome oriented, with a strong sense of ownership.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in a relevant life sciences discipline (e.g. biomedical sciences, pharmacology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or related field).
• Significant experience across venture capital, consulting, biotech, pharma, or drug development, with exposure to asset centric decision making.
• Proven track record in commercial due diligence, portfolio analysis, and strategic evaluation of life science assets.
• Hands on experience with intellectual property strategy in a biotech or translational context.
• Demonstrated capability in stakeholder management across academia, industry, investors, and public sector funders.
• Experience managing or supporting grant funded programs and complex funding structures.
• [Not required but preferable] prior experience in ophthalmology or eye-related indications (drug, device, or platform-based).
• [Not required but preferable] exposure to company formation, spin outs, licensing, or strategic partnerships.