Investment Associate/Analyst (Life Sciences)

About UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund

The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) is a £105m government-backed seed fund managed by Future Planet Capital, investing in early-stage companies in sectors critical to UK economic growth. We invest at the earliest stages of company formation, often acting as a lead investor, and work closely with founders to build companies, crowd in private capital and scale breakthrough science and technology.

About the role

This role sits at the centre of that activity. Analysts and Associates are not purely support roles — they are a core part of the execution engine of the Fund, working across sourcing, diligence, transactions and portfolio development. The role offers early responsibility, exposure to senior decision-making, and the opportunity to work across one of the most active deep-tech investment platforms in the UK.

Key responsibilities

• Source and evaluate new investment opportunities
• Lead elements of due diligence (technical, commercial, market)
• Support transaction execution from initial engagement through to completion
• Engage with co-investors and support syndicate formation
• Prepare investment materials for the Investment Committee
• Work with portfolio companies on key strategic and analytical projects
• Support fundraising processes and investor engagement
• Monitor company performance and identify key risks and opportunities
• Contribute to UKI2S Fund origination strategy and network development
• Engage with universities, accelerators and partners
• Support development of data-driven sourcing and internal processes
• Blend strategic, analytical, and communication duties across multiple sectors and investment styles

A typical day

• Review new inbound opportunities and form an initial view on whether to progress
• Meet founders from university spinouts or early-stage start-ups to understand the technology and team
• Lead parts of due diligence, including market analysis, technical assessment and commercial validation
• Work with an Investment Director to shape an investment thesis and prepare materials for the Investment Committee
• Coordinate with co-investors to build a syndicate and support a live funding round
• Support a portfolio company on a specific challenge, such as fundraising strategy, market entry or financial planning
• Attend industry events, demo days or ecosystem meetings to source new opportunities and build relationships
• Engage with the broader FPC platform, including investor relations, data and impact teams

Requirements

• Postgraduate degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field (e.g., biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry)
• One to two years’ experience in a relevant role, such as consulting for science-based companies or in a large pharma
• Ideally, start-up experience and some exposure to venture capital via an internship
• Strong ability to assess scientific validity and translational potential
• Basic understanding of development pathways, regulatory considerations and commercialisation challenges

Core skills

• 1–2 years of work experience in a start-up, consulting or large corporate
• Understanding of how to read financial statements is highly desirable
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Experience in market research and market analysis using primary and secondary sources and the ability to synthesise complex documents and concepts
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a fast-paced team environment
• Commercial judgement and curiosity

Benefits

• We offer a competitive salary of £40–60k commensurate with experience, alongside a discretionary bonus linked to individual and fund performance and, in time, participation in the carried interest scheme.
• 10% pension contribution
• Private healthcare insurance
• 25 days’ annual leave plus public holidays
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Access to training and professional development opportunities

Equal Opportunities

Future Planet Capital is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We believe that a range of perspectives strengthens decision-making and leads to better investment outcomes. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or socio-economic background. We are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments where required to support candidates through the application process. We actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups and/or non-traditional backgrounds to apply, even if you meet most of the criteria but not all of it. Future Planet Capital is committed to integrating diverse and inclusive practices across all areas of the business, including, but not limited to, the diversity of the fund and founding teams and following inclusive hiring practices.