Technical Program Manager – AI for Science (Fixed- Term Contract)
Location: Cambridge, UK (Hybrid)
Contract Length: ASAP - 18‑month intent
Remuneration: £400 Daily Rate
Overview
We are seeking a Technical Program Manager, AI for Science to help translate frontier research into real‑world impact through structured early‑access and partner engagement programmes.
This role sits at the intersection of applied research, engineering, and customer co‑innovation, supporting the validation, deployment, and scaling of early‑stage AI‑driven scientific capabilities. You’ll work closely with world‑class researchers, internal engineering teams, and external partners across academia and industry to bridge experimentation with adoption.
The role is ideal for someone who thrives in complex environments, enjoys working across disciplines, and is motivated by turning scientific breakthroughs into tangible outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
Research Early Access & Programme Leadership
* Lead Research Early Access Programs (REAP) from design to execution, translating cutting‑edge AI for Science research into high‑impact partner engagements
* Define success criteria, ensure scientific and real‑world validation, and drive end‑to‑end delivery from onboarding through scale
* Support programmes across domains such as drug discovery, materials science, chemistry, energy, climate, and DFT
Customer & Partner Co‑Innovation
* Act as the primary interface between research teams and strategic partners across industry and academia
* Shape co‑innovation opportunities aligned to partner needs and emerging research capabilities
* Lead pilots and early deployments to demonstrate real‑world applicability and business or scientific value
Complex Program Orchestration
* Operate across research, engineering, legal, and partner ecosystems to deliver multi‑stakeholder programmes
* Establish governance frameworks including roadmaps, OKRs, dependency management, and risk mitigation
* Ensure programs are designed for repeatability and scale
Research Translation & Enablement
* Collaborate closely with researchers to translate experimental advances into usable workflows, prototypes, and solution constructs
* Bridge the gap between research and production by identifying repeatable patterns and scalable approaches
* Support the conversion of early‑stage innovation into validated, partner‑ready solutions
Ecosystem & Strategy Development
* Build and manage a high‑quality pipeline of research and industry partners
* Synthesise insights across the AI for Science landscape to inform programme and accelerator strategy
* Contribute to shaping long‑term approaches to translating scientific innovation into societal and commercial impact
Required Qualifications:
* Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Sciences, or related field and experience in technical program management, research translation, or product roles
* Master’s degree in a relevant field
* Equivalent professional experience, including demonstrated leadership of complex, research‑driven technical programmes
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience in AI for Science domains (e.g. computational chemistry, materials science, drug discovery, climate or energy science)
* Familiarity with machine learning, foundation models, or simulation‑based workflows
* Experience leading customer‑facing technical programmes or co‑innovation initiatives
* Background in research environments, accelerators, or early‑stage incubation settings
* Ability to operate effectively across deep technical detail and strategic context, engaging researchers, engineers, and senior stakeholders
Adecco is a disability-confident employer. It is important to us that we run an inclusive and accessible recruitment process to support candidates of all backgrounds and all abilities to apply. Adecco is committed to building a supportive environment for you to explore the next steps in your career. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.