Associate
About the roLe
AI in Science Fellowship Program
In partnership with the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency (ARIA), Pillar VC will launch a fellowship program placing 30 top AI researchers in leading UK science labs over the next three years. Fellows will spend 12 months embedded in labs focusing on neuroscience, robotics, climate science, and more. Each fellow will receive a competitive stipend, access to state-of-the-art computing resources, and the opportunity to work on some of the most pressing scientific challenges of our time. Through the program, Pillar VC will deepen its UK presence, investing in ecosystem development, events, programming, and post-fellowship support to nurture these projects into successful ventures.
We are seeking a highly adaptable and motivated Associate to support Pillar VC’s fellowship initiative in the UK. This role requires a versatile individual who can assist across all aspects of the program including marketing needs, research, etc. and adapt quickly to changing needs and priorities. This role is based 100% in the UK.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to deep tech or biotech
- Strong interest in venture capital, AI/ML, and the intersection of academia and industry
- Excellent organizational and multitasking skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Highly adaptable with a willingness to learn and take on diverse responsibilities
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proficiency with productivity software and aptitude for quickly learning new tools
- Knowledge of the UK academic and startup ecosystem is a plus
- 1-3 years of relevant experience in a fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with the UK startup and academic ecosystem is strongly preferred
- This role is based in the UK.
Key responsibilities
- Provide flexible support across all areas of the fellowship program as needed
- Assist the Executive Director and Head of Programs in various projects and activities
- Support the planning and execution of program events and activities
- Help with data collection, analysis, and reporting for program evaluation
- Contribute to marketing and communication efforts, including social media and content creation
- Assist in research tasks related to AI/ML trends, academic partnerships, and innovation opportunities
- Provide administrative support to the leadership team as needed
- Be prepared to take on new responsibilities and learn new skills as the program evolves
apply
We encourage underrepresented candidates to apply.
This role is based in London, UK.
Who We Are
Pillar VC is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in Boston co-founded by 41 leading CEOs, including the founders of DraftKings, Iora Health, Ginkgo Bioworks and Constant Contact. We’re the first-capital-in for scientists and engineers building in deep tech and bio. We make big bets on big ideas at inception.
Over half of our investments emerge out of universities. We work with founders months to years in advance of commercialization, collaborating with PhD students, postdocs and faculty. Our team helps by validating customer demand for a founder’s research, recruiting key team members, developing business plans, navigating licensing agreements, and building syndicates with strong co-investors. We’ve made over 50 investments in academic spinouts, including Algorand, Asimov, PathAI, Neural Magic, and Verve Motion.
Our investments span enterprise/infrastructure, vertical SaaS, fintech, crypto, manufacturing, logistics, robotics, healthtech, SynBio, genomics, longevity and precision medicine, among other categories. We’re proud investors in companies including Jellyfish, Abridge, Higharc, Hometap, Kula Bio, and VideaHealth.
We started Pillar VC with the belief that there has to be a better way for founders and investors to align. We began with a simple hypothesis — that if we treat founders the way we would want to be treated, good things will happen. That if we align every incentive, every action and decision to realize mutual benefit, we will engender trust, and from that, achieve profound results. It’s that simple.