At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UK operations, manage customer onboarding, and drive strategic partnerships.
- Company: Join a fast-growing biotech company revolutionising lab automation with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting chance to shape the future of the UK life-science ecosystem.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of biotech innovation and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in life sciences and experience in project management or operations.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Adaptyv is building an automated lab that lets AI agents run biology experiments. We're entering the era of agentic science where AI models can now design novel proteins, propose hypotheses, and iterate on experimental results. But they can't run the experiments themselves - that's still a manual, months-long process. We're building the infrastructure that gives AI agents access to the physical world. We are one of the fastest growing biotech companies, trusted by leading biopharmas, frontier AI labs, and the techbio companies pushing the field forward. This is a rare chance to help advance some of the most important work happening in biotech today.
Our automated lab is powered by a deep software + hardware stack: lab instruments worth millions of USD reverse-engineered into API-controllable hardware, dozens of devices orchestrated through complex workflows, full observability on everything that happens in the lab, processing pipelines for messy physical-world data, and AI systems that troubleshoot production results and accelerate assay development. We’re growing rapidly and are hiring for talented people to scale and support the massive demand for AI-driven wet lab experimentation.
About the Role: Adaptyv is opening a London lab in 2026. Beyond running experiments, we want it to become an important part of the UK life-science ecosystem: giving biotech companies and researchers access to high-throughput protein production and characterisation, running work for partners such as Anthropic and Boltz, and building a strong local community around protein engineering. You will join as one of the first UK hires, working closely with the founders, the Head of UK Operations, and the team in Lausanne.
You will own much of the customer-, partner-, and community-facing operation in the UK. That means onboarding customers, running strategic programmes, coordinating events and partnerships, and making sure the London operation is visible, organised, and easy to work with.
What You'll Do:
- Own UK customer operations. Support customers from onboarding through experiment submission and delivery of results, working closely with our scientific and commercial teams in Lausanne.
- Run strategic programmes and partnerships. Own milestones, reporting, partner reviews, deliverables, and the operating cadence behind our UK collaborations. Keep multiple stakeholders aligned and make sure commitments turn into action.
- Build Adaptyv's UK community presence. Organise competitions, hackathons, meetups, workshops, and conference activities together with our broader community team.
- Drive UK marketing and communications. Coordinate announcements, event content, case studies, customer stories, and other material that builds awareness around Adaptyv and the London lab.
- Build the operating systems behind your work. Create lightweight processes, automate repetitive workflows, and continuously improve how customers, partners, and internal teams work together.
- Pick up whatever else needs ownership. As one of the first people on the ground, your scope will evolve quickly as the London operation grows.
What We're Looking For:
- You have a life-sciences background. A degree in biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field is strongly preferred. You will work closely with scientists and regularly discuss protein engineering experiments and assays.
- You have a track record of running complex projects. This could come from operations, programme management, partnerships, a startup, an accelerator, a VC fund, or a scientific organisation. We care more about what you have owned than your title or years of experience.
- You are exceptionally organised. You can manage customers, partners, deadlines, events, and internal stakeholders in parallel without losing track of the details.
- You communicate clearly. You can write concise partner updates, run effective meetings, and represent Adaptyv confidently with customers and at events.
- You operate with high ownership. You are comfortable with ambiguity, figure out what needs to happen, and drive it through to completion.
- You use AI as part of how you work. We use tools like Claude Code and our own software throughout Adaptyv, including for operations work. We expect you to be comfortable using AI to move faster and improve how work gets done.
- You are in London. This is an on-site role. You are already based there or ready to move.
Details:
- Location: London, UK — on-site
- Type: Full-time
- Start: As soon as possible
- Target lab opening: 2026
- Application deadline: We are reviewing applicants on a rolling basis.
UK Ops & Programme Manager in London employer: Adaptyv
Adaptyv is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of AI-driven biotechnology in London. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will work closely with founders and industry leaders, contributing to innovative projects that shape the future of life sciences. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and community engagement, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about advancing scientific discovery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Ops & Programme Manager in London
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Adaptyv. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Adaptyv!
We think you need these skills to ace UK Ops & Programme Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Adaptyv that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Adaptyv.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Adaptyv does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Adaptyv
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Adaptyv. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Adaptyv's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Adaptyv. This shows your passion for the industry!