I would like to start by saying a BIG thank you to all our clients, candidates, and connections we have interacted with and/or worked with this year, without whom there would be no mexec.
This year is also 10 years that mexec has been a company. I formally started with an ABN in 2012, and after a few name changes, it was in 2015 that mexec as a company commenced.
2025 is also a very significant year as we all start to see the impact on innovation with the massive uptake of AI. It is transformational.
Having recruited since 1998 – the year GOOGLE started – I have seen innovation and transformation; however, never at this speed. I am excited about the many opportunities that will emerge in the coming years, with AI enabling faster hiring, support, and impacting the roles we all do. At times, it feels like a non-stop rollercoaster.
This is our final newsletter for the year, it’s a long one as there has been a lot happening.
Cheers
Marilyn Jones
In this edition you might want to check out:
 | mexec celebrates |
Blog by: Mark Thomas, mexec Recruitment Consultant
Precision medicine offers significant advantages to healthcare and represents a range of opportunities to researchers and companies in Australia. Unlike traditional “one-size-fits-all” treatments, precision medicine combines genetic, environmental, and lifestyle data to tailor therapies to individual patients for improved clinical outcomes.
This relies on access to cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure, and a suitably trained workforce. While expansion of the local and global markets will undoubtedly increase demand for other capabilities, such as manufacturing and clinical research, this blog mostly relates to the direct contributions R&D scientists can make in this area…
Click here to continue reading the full Musing to learn more.
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mexec is delighted to announce that the senior pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive Michelle Bradney has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer at Cerulea Clinical Trials. Michelle brings more than two decades of experience in medical affairs and clinical development across global pharmaceutical companies and ASX-listed biotechnology firms. She joins Cerulea from OccuRx, where she served as Chief Operating Officer, and has extensive ophthalmic clinical trials experience through senior roles at Allergan, where she led clinical monitoring operations |
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Congratulations to Catherine Morgan who has joined the team at Adherium as their New Head of Regulatory & Quality. Catherine brings more than 15 years of experience in MedTech, combining expertise in quality leadership, regulatory strategy, executive leadership, product development and realisation, new business development, and clinical research.
Congratulations to Dr Marium Rana who has joined the team at Brandon Biocatalyst CUREator as their new Analyst. Thank you to Amanda Vrselja, Chris Nave and Brandon Capital, who partnered with mexec to support the recruitment of Marium. Marium brings drug discovery and experience in biotech strategy and market analysis, both locally and internationally. CUREator is Australia’s leading life sciences incubator delivered by the Brandon BioCatalyst, a collaboration of 50 + of Australia and New Zealand’s leading Medical Research Institutes. It is designed to accelerate the translation and commercialisation of early-stage Australian health and medical research, bridging the gap between discovery and investment readiness. |
Senior Embedded Software Engineer Do you know about the hidden job market? We fill some of our roles without any advertising! We’ve filled a lot of roles recently with some really great people. To make sure you don’t miss out on your ideal role create a job alert via our website. |
Interim Executive CEO/GM/Business Development
Pharmaceutical industry executive with a proven record of improving top- and bottom-line performance for organisations. Able to execute on a strategy that drives revenue generation, EBITDA and enterprise value. Brings executive experience spanning CEO, Business Development and Operations roles – and as a qualified company director (GAICD), brings strong governance, risk and compliance capability. Broad range of therapeutic sector expertise, including cell and gene therapy, vaccines, recombinant proteins, hormones, and vitamins.
Commercial Leader
High-impact commercial leader with 20+ years in life sciences, diagnostics, and medical devices. Demonstrates strong expertise in commercial strategy, business development, and sales leadership, with a consistent record of exceeding revenue targets and driving market expansion. Skilled in managing P&L, leading cross-functional teams, and executing strategic marketing initiatives. Scaled APAC revenue from $0 to almost $60M USD in 3 years for a Dx service provider and has led globally recognised sales teams across 10+ countries.
Laboratory Operations Manager
Internationally experienced in operational planning for laboratory products, including collaborations with internal stakeholders such as supply chain, quality and regulatory assurance, R&D, and the commercial team. Ensured process efficiency and improvements whilst also maintaining product compliance in collaboration with QA and Regulatory. Swedish, US, UK and Australian experience.
Expertise areas include:
- Digital Health Consultants
- VP of Drug Discovery
- Head of Global Market Access
- Global Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance
- Senior Director, Global Product lead
Contact mexec at [email protected] to learn more about these candidates.
Reach out to Marilyn [email protected] or Mark [email protected] to discuss these experienced candidates for your organisation
The Latest in AI for our Sector
Will AI Take My Job? For Many Women, It Already Has.
8 steps to get your press release discovered by AI: The ultimate blueprint (plus 5 tips to test it)
Australia is facing an ‘AI divide’, new national survey shows
Are you opportunity ready?
A networking discussion might produce a new opportunity – have your CV ready!
We can help you with this! Reach out to us for a free 15-minute phone consultation with Janice at [email protected] to see if the mexec jobstrategy™ program can help your career progression
mexec memberships
mexec is proud to partner with organisations across the life sciences, medtech, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors. We understand the importance of embedding ourselves within these sectors, and these partnerships help us to understand and ask the right questions to meet our clients and candidates needs.
mexec is a member of BioMelbourne Network
BioMelbourne Network is an industry-led membership association for organisations engaged in biotechnology, medical technology and health innovation in the state of Victoria. Their role is to foster links between companies, research organisations, financial markets and government, creating an environment for greater collaboration and prosperity.
Also check out WILAM and the new interactive careers hub
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Industry News
Alzheimer’s Drugs Are Finally Tackling the Disease Itself. Here’s How
New larval seedbox technology to drive coral restoration on the Great Barrier Reef
Blood test offers hope for more effective ovarian cancer treatment
New regulations on psychosocial hazards in the workplace – in effect from 1 December
Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research
Expert Council on University Governance – Final Report and Principles
Cell-free chemoenzymatic starch synthesis from carbon dioxide
Phase 1 Trial of CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Targeting ANGPTL3
Clinical relevance of extracellular vesicles in cancer — therapeutic and diagnostic potential
Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity
Are you following mexec on LinkedIn?
We share frequent updates from the industry, recent and upcoming events, as well as exclusive job opportunities – follow us today so you don’t miss out!
Tips for LinkedIn!
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Do people mispronounce your name frequently? Show them how to pronounce it correctly by recording and displaying your name pronunciation in your LinkedIn profile.
Learn how
New ARCS White Paper Now Available!
ARCS Australia is pleased to announce the release of their new national white paper, Strengthening Australia’s Clinical Trials Workforce: ARCS Clinical Research Workforce Capacity Summit Insights and Strategic Blueprint, launched at the 2025 Clinical Research Workforce Capacity Summit.
This report brings together the collective insights of clinical trial professionals, government, industry, universities, and hospitals to highlight the pressures facing Australia’s clinical trials workforce and the opportunities to build a more sustainable, coordinated, and future-ready system.
Let’s strengthen Australia’s clinical trials ecosystem, starting today.
Your Exclusive mexec Offer for 20% off PRAXIS 2026 Workshops!
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As a valued mexec member, you receive exclusive early access to the new PRAXIS 2026 Workshop Calendar along with your dedicated 20% off using code MEXEC25. We kick off in February with AI in Action, Clinical Trials 101, Project Management Essentials and more — followed by leadership, SOPs, budgeting, monitoring, CRA capability, and site readiness workshops through March and April. |
Recent Events
ARCS Australia Clinical Trials Summit
🚨 Australia’s $6B Clinical Trials Opportunity: Lead or Lag? 🚨
Tim Boyle, CEO of ARCS Australia, is clear: we can capture $6B in clinical trial growth — 9% annually and 2.2% of the global market — but only with decisive action.
🧱 Cracks in the Foundations
🧑⚕️ Workforce under strain
🧩 Poorly defined roles & no clear career paths
🚪 A leaky pipeline
🌏 Global Proof Points
Korea and the UK surged ahead through deliberate national strategies.
📘 The ARCS Blueprint offers a sector-wide plan:
1️⃣ Workforce accreditation
2️⃣ Purposeful education
3️⃣ A sustainable pipeline
4️⃣ Aligned government policy
🗣️ The Choice
❌ Fragment further, or
✅ Implement the Blueprint and secure Australia as a global trials destination.
Infrastructure is emerging through Austrade — but without a workforce strategy, we risk missing the moment.
📣 ARCS 2025 Strategy is here. Let’s lock in the $6B opportunity.
Marilyn presented a 2 hour workshop ‘How to Hire – A Recruitment Roadmap’
with start up Founders supported by the University of Melbourne Genesis pre-seed fund
Are you a startup or growing organisation, unsure how to hire effectively?
Our 2–3 hour “How to Hire” sessions are designed for founders, new managers, and HR teams.
Topics include:
✔️ Hiring for growth: a recruitment roadmap
✔️ What you can and can’t ask in interviews
✔️ The impact of AI on hiring
✔️ Building your employer brand
BioMelbourne Network Symposium – New approaches in oncology drug development
Good to connect in Melbourne for the BioMelbourne Network
Symposium – ‘New approaches in oncology drug development.”
Leaders from top biotech and pharma shared ideas on collaboration, smarter models, and faster pathways to commercialisation
Cicada Innovations 25 Year Anniversary Open Day
A great way to finish up Marilyn’s recent Sydney trip was with a tour at Cicada Innovations 25-year Anniversary open day. 👏🏻
✔️Lots of interesting companies are being nurtured across technologies, including quantum, robotics, medical devices, IVDs, agricultural developments and more
QIMR 80th Birthday Party
🍾It was wonderful for Marilyn to join in the celebrations for QIMR Berghofer 80th birthday party.
✔️Lovely to connect with many she knows, and some new!
✔️So impressive to see the Institute continuing to build on its basic science discoveries to develop clinical outcomes
✔️Champers in the wall was great fun! 🍾
Workshop by mexec at Monash University
“Articulate your skills and achievements to assist with your career progression”
Marilyn Jones and Janice Woods recently presented to over 30 early-career researchers at the Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Hosted by Dr Adriana Knezic, the workshop covered how best to articulate your skills and achievements to support your career progression, not only in academia but also in transitioning into industry.
Many questions were raised on the day, and many conversations were initiated afterwards. Great feedback from the participants made for a very fulfilling day for all.
KCA – Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia Conference
Marilyn thoroughly enjoyed being back in her hometown, meeting old friends and making new ones.
Many key takeaways, too many to quote, but here are a few:
✦Execution – how fast can you execute? We have got to be better.
✦Decks – need work, and we don’t tell our stories well enough.
✦Talent is really important, and even ahead of the $ or product, you need the right people.
✦How do we partner better?
Marilyn attended the open event at the AMCD
The event brought together researchers, clinicians and industry for a great conversation on accelerating healthtech translation in Australia.
ACMD Link, powered by ANDHealth, will become a regular forum for partners to connect, challenge assumptions, spark collaboration and turn breakthrough ideas into ideas.
Guest speakers included Tory Williams and panellists, Megan Robertson, Natalie Sims, James Fallon, Andrea O’Connor, Robert Kapsa, Govinda Poudel, PhD, Caroline Herd, and the CEO Jeff Malone GAICD at ACMD.
Marilyn attended Brain Tech 2025
Fabulous to attend BrainTech 2025, the inaugural event bringing together Australia’s growing brain health and neurotech communities. Focussed on the intersection of neuroscience, technology and innovation, the day showcased how collaboration is advancing the future of these fields.
Highlights included insightful sessions from Prof Mark Cook AO on the Epiminder journey and A/Prof Andrew Morokoff on the evolution of brain tech, while Adam Caplan, Founder and General Partner at Jumpspace Ventures, offered valuable perspectives on how the world views Australia’s role in brain tech and where the opportunities lie for Australian companies globally.
Marilyn attended the BioMelbourne AGM
Marilyn attended the BioMelbourne AGM, where it was a great night to connect but also to say some fond farewells to both Elane Zelcer and Nicky Pitcher, who have both tirelessly contributed to the BioMelbourne Network. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to another year of events and connections in Melbourne with fellow members.
Marilyn attended the BioPharmaDispatch AI 2025 Conference
Paul Cross from BioPharmaDispatch commenced the AI conference by discussing his key thoughts on AI.
He had formed most of his views over the last 20 years from the Terminator movies and Skynet.
He raised questions on what guardrails need to be in place, and that change is hard for the government.
The world is moving on, and we all have to deal with AI.
One question he raised is:
❓Is it going to make us smarter or dumber?
Marilyn attended AusBiotech and AusBiotech Invest
Fabulous week of connecting at the AusBiotech International Conference 2025. I was able to connect with many people at the multiple events. Many I am sure I missed… Thank you for taking the time to talk with me!
Janice attended ‘AI Impact in the workforce: Promises and challenges’
An active and thought-provoking panel discussion on how using AI can help in progressing research. Can AI modelling reduce time and cost, and reduce the number of animal models associated with clinical trials?
mexec presented a workshop to over 140 graduate students from MDHS at the University of Melbourne
‘Articulating your skills and achievements to assist with your career’
We covered aspects of the job search, including how to write an effective CV in the age of AI, where to access networks and roles, and how to prepare for an interview. Great to hear many questions from the group, particularly about the key skills and qualities employers are seeking.
Want to ensure your students or staff are job-ready?
Reach out to us at [email protected] to schedule a session at your University, Institute, or organisation.
Marilyn attended the 1st anniversary of the Melbourne branch of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association
A fabulous night of connecting and listening to the keynote from Dr Lauren Burns on Courage, Leadership & Growth.
Many key takeaways from her talk; however, the science around connecting really resonated, and that we achieve more when we have good support from the right people.
Plus, we all got to feel and hold a real gold medal from the 2000 Olympics.
It was also great to catch up with Sarah who we placed at Metagene before COVID.
Mark attended the LSQ Annual General Meeting and Networking Breakfast
Mark attended the Life Science Queensland Annual General Meeting and Networking Breakfast towards the end of November, at the lovely Victoria Park function centre. Queensland’s Chief Scientist, Prof. Kerrie Wilson, alongside Prof. Keith Chappell (AIBN) and Prof. Cameron Simmons gave insightful talks on the importance and challenges of scientific communication, and how the collaboration of government, industry and academia in Queensland continues to elevate the state’s status as a go-to destination for innovation.
 | Marilyn from mexec contributes to the 2026 Occupation Short List (OSL) Survey for Australia. This is an important opportunity to contribute insights on labour market trends. Feedback will help strengthen the accuracy and relevance of the 2026 OSL. If you’d like to be added, please email [email protected]. We encourage you to share this with your networks. Greater participation means richer insights and stronger reporting |
The Biointelect Venturer – Australia’s National incubator for vaccine and infectious disease innovation – launched on 17th November 2025. The incubator seeks to transform early-stage breakthroughs into viable health solutions that deliver significant public health impact.
The incubator is supported by $32.9 million from the Australian Government, under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) 2024 BioMedTech Incubator Grant Opportunity, and will guide three cohorts of innovators over the next four years (2026 -2029).
Expressions of interest open at 9.00AM (AEDT) Monday 17th November and close on Sunday 19th December at 11.59PM (AEDT).
Please register HERE for further information.
Links of Interest
Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research
EU–INC – A true pan-European solution
Sunscreen and supplements can lower your vitamin D levels
Scientists discover brain circuit that can switch off chronic pain
Registration Now for the 2026 BPD Conference!
Event Details
Date: Monday, 18 May 2026
Location: Sydney, The Ivy Ballroom
Format: Full-day conference + networking function
Quick Tips!
Keep your plants hydrated
To help prevent root rot in your plant pots, cut up old sponges and put them in the bottom of the pot. The sponges will hold moistures, keep excess water from draining out too quickly and help the soil stay moist for longer.
Check out our refreshed events page!
Check out a longer and more comprehensive range of events on the new events section of our website here.
From myself and my team I want to wish you all a fabulous festive season. See you in the new year!
With best wishes,
Marilyn Jones & the mexec team
mexec
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