Business Development Associate

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Tigard (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K

Profit sharing

Free parking

Job summary

Yecuris in Tigard, OR is seeking an experienced Business Development Associate to drive the full sales cycle with biotech, pharma, and academic customers. You will prospect, qualify opportunities, and deliver technically rigorous proposals backed by scientific credibility.

The role blends science and business, requiring an advanced degree or proven life-science sales success, willingness to travel, and the ability to develop long-term client relationships and market intelligence.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree strongly preferred; or proven life-science sales track record.
• 1–2 years in technical sales or customer-facing life sciences roles preferred.
• Willingness to travel to meet customers and attend events.

Responsibilities

• Generate sales opportunities across biotech, pharma, and academia.
• Deliver technically sophisticated presentations and proposals.
• Maintain deep knowledge of Yecuris platforms and applications.
• Build lasting client relationships and provide market intelligence.

Skills

Prospecting

Opportunity qualification

Sales cycle management

Technical presentations

Customer relationship building

Scientific credibility

Networking

Market intelligence

Travel readiness

Education

MS or PhD in a relevant field

BS with life science sales experience

Tools

CRM

MS Office

Databases

Job description

Position Title: Business Development Associate

Full Time, Exempt Employee

Location: Tigard, OR

About Yecuris

Yecuris develops and commercializes industry‑leading liver‑humanized mouse models and research services, enabling biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic scientists to generate human‑relevant insights at the cellular, tissue, and whole‑animal level. Our platforms are integral to drug metabolism, infectious disease, and cell and gene therapy research — and we're growing.

Yecuris is seeking an experienced, self‑directed Business Development Associate to contribute to expanding our commercial efforts in the life sciences market. This individual will facilitate the full sales cycle — from prospecting and pipeline development to close — while serving as a credible scientific peer to our research customers. The ideal candidate holds an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline, or brings a proven track record in life science tools, reagents, or CRO sales.

This is a high‑impact, high‑autonomy role for someone who thrives at the intersection of science and business.

In this role you will:

Generate Sales Opportunities:

• Identify, qualify, and close business opportunities across biotech, pharma, and academic research institutions.
• Actively cultivate new leads through various channels, including attending conferences, networking events, and utilizing online resources.
• Survey information sources to identify target companies based on therapeutic area, mechanism of action, and other key activities relevant to the company’s products and services.

Lead with Scientific Credibility:

• Engage with customers to understand their needs, challenges, and research goals.
• Deliver technically sophisticated presentations, data packages, and consultative proposals tailored to each client’s specific research program and therapeutic area.
• Maintain deep, current knowledge of Yecuris platforms and their application across application areas.

Build Lasting Client Relationships:

• Act as a long‑term trusted advisor to key accounts, understanding evolving research priorities and proactively identifying new applications for Yecuris solutions.
• Coordinate with internal scientific and operations teams to ensure proposals are technically sound, deliverable, and aligned with client needs.
• Provide structured, actionable market intelligence — including competitor activity, customer feedback, and emerging research trends — to inform R&D and marketing strategy.

Understand and Expand Market Presence:

• Stay informed about market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments to identify and present new opportunities to internal teams.
• Represent Yecuris at scientific conferences, symposia, and industry events — actively generating leads and reinforcing brand visibility.
• Collaborate on go‑to‑market strategies, key account targeting, and multi‑channel outreach initiatives.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the management team.

Requirements

M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., pharmacology, cell/molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, or related field) strongly preferred. B.S. candidates with exceptional, directly relevant life science sales experience will be considered. 1‑2 years’ experience in technical sales or similar customer‑facing roles within the life sciences industry is preferred, although a science background with an interest in changing to a sales role may be considered. Willingness to travel as required to meet with customers and attend industry events.

Key Skills

• Positive attitude with the ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
• Ability to successfully drive sales opportunities to successful closure, with high‑level guidance
• Highly organized and capable of meeting deadlines
• Ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with scientific clients
• Excellent attention to detail Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Well‑developed multi‑tasking skills
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and quickly adapt to changes

Work Environment

• This position is primarily in an office setting
• Ability to lift at least 30 lbs
• Occasional travel

Equipment

Office Equipment: personal computer (MS office suite, CRM, databases), printers, phones, trade show equipment, etc.

Benefits

Yecuris offers exciting career opportunities in a dynamic working environment. Full medical, dental, vision, 401K, and profit‑sharing benefits provided for full‑time employees. Convenient location in Tigard, Oregon, with free parking.