It’s been a very busy few months with extensive networking across Australia – see some of the highlights later in this newsletter.
Mark’s blog has also been highlighted in this month’s ARCS – now Life Sciences Australia – issue of Cognitio magazine.
mexec is a Partner with ARCS – Life Sciences Australia, and we had a fabulous conference in Sydney, one of the best connecting events ever for mexec.
Also, as I write this, I have rather terrible FOMO, since many are at BIO in San Diego, US. The last time I missed BIO was in the middle of COVID.
I look forward to connecting with many of you when you return and throughout the next half of the year,
Happy reading!
Cheers
Marilyn Jones
In this edition you might want to check out:
Latest mexec musing
Adoption of AI in Australia’s Life Sciences Industry
Blog by: Mark Thomas, mexec Recruitment Consultant
Why “AI Fluency” Is Becoming a Core Skill in Australia’s Life Sciences Workforce
Across Australia’s biotech, medtech, pharmaceutical and CRO sectors, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an abstract R&D concept or a specialist capability reserved for data science teams. Increasingly, the ability to use AI tools and agents is becoming a highly sought‑after skillset across scientific, clinical, regulatory and commercial roles…
First published in Cognitio for members of Life Sciences Australia.
Click here to continue reading the full musing on the mexec website.
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Marilyn was delighted to catch up with Jen Hollands and Michelle Bradney who also attended the recent Life Sciences Australia Conference. mexec partnered with Cerulea Clinical trials to support them in the recruitment of Jen as their new Business Development Manager. |
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Marilyn recently caught up with Darren Riddy, Vice President of Pre-Clinical Development, and Henri Currie, the Co-founder/COO of Gallant BIO. Thank you to Gallant BIO, The University of Melbourne and Tin Alley Ventures for partnering with mexec to support Darren’s recruitment. Gallant Bio is a Melbourne-based biotechnology start-up developing first-in-class therapeutics to treat obesity and metabolic disease. |
 | Company ProfileWonderful to connect with one of our clients recently at the ARCS/Life Sciences Australia conference in Sydney. Tina Soulis and Jovana Milsoevic are pictured with Marilyn. Alithia is a proudly Australian-owned, full-service CRO. mexec is proud to support the growth of Australian businesses. |
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Associate Director, Diagnostics Senior Product Development Consultant Senior Embedded Software Engineer Community & Lab Operations Co-ordinator Senior Clinical Research Associate Potential Upcoming Opportunities: Our clients have indicated they will be seeking people in these areas this year. Please connect with us at [email protected] if you align. Non-Executive Director – Medical Device company 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 ensure you don’t miss out on your ideal role, create a job alert via our website. |
Bioinformatics Specialist
An experienced bioinformatics specialist with more than 20 years of expertise in computational biology, genomics, and bioinformatics, with a proven track record of leading strategic bioinformatics programs, improving operational efficiency, and aligning technical teams. Possesses strong technical skills in Rust, Go, Nextflow, and cloud platforms including Azure and GCP, with experience across biotechnology, genomics research, and academic environments focused on bioinformatics infrastructure and workflow development. Available immediately.
Internationally experienced EXPAT Executive/Board
Advisor to large and small biopharma companies, research institutes, academia and policy makers, partnering with leadership to help define strategy and build effective business capabilities to solve complex organisational challenges. Extensive experience delivering effective cross-functional partnerships that meet organisational needs. Available immediately for contract/projects/ board.
Principal Scientist/Project Manager
17+ years of biotech experience spanning immunology, virology, infectious disease, and oncology with a proven track record across FDA approvals and USD $1B+ pharmaceutical partnerships. Established cutting-edge high-containment scRNA-seq platforms, undertook multiple target validations, assay development, stakeholder management, and partnership coordination. Positioned to advance drug development programs, developing novel Australian therapies that deliver meaningful global patient impact.
mexec represents over 20 Australian expats returning to Australia
- 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
An up-to-date monitor of AI’s impact on our economy
I Asked Gemini to Write My Resume. Then I Changed One Word.
Algorithmic Monocultures in Hiring
AI Scenarios 2030: Helping policymakers plan for the future of AI
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
Testimonial:
“Thank you again, Janice, for the very helpful mexec jobstrategy™ workshop. I wanted to share some good news with you. I have been offered a role as a Project Specialist at a CRO! Thank you for your support throughout the job search.”
Prerna Sharma
mexec memberships & partnerships
mexec is proud to be part of the RCSA, helping us to stay current and ensure best practice in recruitment for our clients. We understand the importance of embedding ourselves within these sectors, and these partnerships help us ask the right questions to meet our clients’ and candidates’ needs.
The Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association (RCSA) is the peak body for the recruitment and staffing industry in Australia and New Zealand.
RCSA’s purpose is to enhance lives, organisations and the economy through the ‘world of work’. RCSA drives professional practice, promotes & protects the industry, enables better business for members and provides opportunities for networking and the celebration of success.
RCSA sets the benchmark for professionalism through standard-setting, education, research, and business advisory support for our member firms and accredited professionals. All of our members are bound by the RCSA Code for Professional Conduct, which is underpinned by a comprehensive disciplinary and dispute resolution procedure.
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
Testimonials:
“Very clearly presented, helped me understand how to hire more effectively.”
“I liked hearing from other co-founders about hiring needs, and their anecdotes.”
Industry News
FDA urges clinical trial sponsors to report the results of their studies
Your Clients Can’t Afford NOT to Use an RCSA Member
Outside academia, people aren’t well informed about PhD research – and that’s a problem
Wrong hires are costing Australian SMEs a staggering $7.3 billion a year
Life Sciences in Australia: A National Network Driving Innovation
Not So Fast. GLP Tox Studies Explained.
Court guidance that use of open-source AI waives confidentiality and legal professional privilege
Case Briefing: Swanson v. International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
Preparing for Australia’s ‘quantum-ready’ future
The Unwritten Rules of Laboratory Life
Not sure where your degree could take you? You’re in the right place.
How (not) to organise a panel at a global health conference
A common nutrient could supercharge cancer treatment
Millions take calcium and vitamin D for stronger bones. A major review finds little benefit
Scientists stunned by ‘fundamentally new way’ life produces DNA
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!
Expand your network
Keep your networking up to date by connecting with anyone new you meet at an event or during a meeting.
Recent Industry Events
Synthetic Biology Australasia Brisbane Node’s SBA Careers in Science
ARM Hub – AusBiotech BioBriefing
Brandon BioCatalyst CUREator Showcase
Pathology Technology Australia – Sydney
Genomics in Cancer – equity, access and impact. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre VCCC Alliance
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Melbourne chapter
2026 ARCS Australia + MAPA – Medical Affairs Professionals of Australasia Leadership Summit
VIP Launch of Pure Solutions Australia
BioMelbourne Network’s BioSymposium
Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute – ARMI strategy 2030 at Monash University
Gadens – R&D under the microscope
Eagleworks at La Trobe University
PDA – Parenteral Drug Association Australia Chapter dinner event
Liz DeSomer from Medicines Australia spoke passionately at the ARCS Conference about the problems with the current access to drugs for patients – i.e., you and me.
Reform is required; however, it’s moving very, VERY slowly.
Liz also discussed solutions; however, our National Medicines Policy is at risk, and we all need to advocate for change.
Vanessa Waddell from PolyActiva recently spoke at the Brandon Biocatalyst event – CUREATOR day in Melbourne.
Great to see an update from one of our clients on their technology progress.
David Atkins, CEO of Rhythm Biosciences, one of mexec’s ASX-listed Diagnostics clients, was on a panel at ARCS on Horizon Scanning for Australia.
A Building Australian National Horizon Scanning Approach funded by the NHMRC was presented by Dr Orin Chisolm.
Dr Chisholm’s goal is to support health service preparedness and health system adaptation to emerging disruptive technologies, thereby streamlining the review and implementation of new technologies and reducing patient delays.
Health Innovation Observatory Australia
Links of Interest
What a list of Black Death survivors reveals about the way people recovered from plague
Best expert network platforms: Complete comparison guide
‘The best movement is the next movement’: how to really look after your lower back
How to design an employee relocation package (and what to do when a move means a pay cut)
The startup founder’s guide to people ops: what to put in place at each stage of growth
Global Annual Migration Data Explorer
Control the Controllable, Weather the Rest: Private Equity Midyear Report 2026
Marilyn’s newsletter of interest:
 | Marilyn enjoyed a quick vino with David Barda recently at the PTA Conference in Sydney. David is founding Executive Director from one of our clients SEQUINS. |
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Marilyn presented a session on Friday night at the Spanish club in Fitzroy.
‘How to plan your next move.’
Every seat was taken, and there was fabulous energy in the air.
Great to connect with many Spanish speakers and Latinos from many countries around the world.
Well done to those who had to pitch themselves!
Reach out to Kevin Ponce ([email protected]) or review their website to join their community.
Find out more:
Spanish Researchers in Australia-Pacific (SRAP)
Melbourne STEM Latino Professionals (MSLP)
 | ARCS evolves into LifeSciences Australia, recognising its expanded role supporting professionals across the growing life sciences sector. mexec is proud to be a partner! |
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Behind the scenes at mexec
Nick, our Accounts Manager, was on a crowded train on Rottnest Island and was then attacked by the Quokkas.
An amazing place, Rottnest, and I thoroughly love the local beaches!
Lovely to catch up for lunch with Janice and some of the mexec team, and we wish her the best as she heads off on her overseas travel.
An updated picture of the mexec team moving forward:
Wishing you all a strong second half of the year and look forward to connecting with you over the coming months.
With best wishes,
Marilyn Jones & the mexec team
mexec
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