Welcome to the new year! Even though it’s nearly Easter. 🐰🐣
There are lots of things going on in the sector, and many more to look forward to.
Enjoy Mark’s blog: a bit of a change this month, with a tongue-in-cheek look at the daylight saving conundrum. 🛌🌉🌞
Also, I read a lot of news, and this is a new resource I’ve found useful and interesting: Armchair Analyst.
Happy reading!
Cheers
Marilyn Jones
In this edition you might want to check out:
Latest mexec musing
Daylight Saving Time in Australia:
The Annual Battle Between Sunlight, Sleep, and Digital Clocks
Blog by: Mark Thomas, mexec Recruitment Consultant
Every year, millions of Australians are forced to play a nationwide game of “Guess the Real Time,” as clocks leap forward or backward, leaving us all in a state of perpetual jet lag without the luxury of a tropical holiday. Farmers hate it, parents dread it, and even the cows seem unimpressed (apparently, they don’t adjust their milking schedules for government‑mandated time shenanigans). If the goal was to create chaos, daylight savings deserves a gold medal….
Click here to continue reading the full Musing.
Precision Medicine in Australia: Skills in Demand
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mexec is delighted to announce that Dr Natasha Korica has recently been appointed as the new Laboratory Community Manager for the Life Science Incubator based at QIMR Berghofer. Dr Natasha Korica has demonstrated leadership in process improvement, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance. In addition, she brings strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, having developed strategic partnerships across research institutes, universities, and industry. Her experience spans clinical trials, translational research, and commercialisation, making her an exciting addition to the new LSI Incubator team. 👏 Thank you to the Life Science Incubator team for partnering with mexec to support their recruitment of this significant role. |
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mexec is proud to have partnered with Rhythm Biosciences Limited to assist with the recruitment of Chandra Mantha as their new ANZ Business Development Manager. Chandra is an experienced Business Development and Sales professional with over 12 years of experience in the diagnostics, life sciences, pathology, and healthcare sectors across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Rhythm Biosciences Limited is an innovative, Australian, publicly listed medical diagnostics company focused on delivering simple, affordable blood tests for the accurate detection of cancers, providing physicians with accurate and reliable diagnostic tools.
Thank you to Camile Farah and the team at Optiscan for catching up with us in person for morning tea with Mark and Marilyn. mexec was pleased to partner with Optiscan in 2025 to assist them with building out their team. Recently, we have supported their recruitment of roles, including: Systems Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer, Production Engineer, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer and also their new IT Systems Operations Manager. Optiscan Imaging Ltd (ASX: OIL) is a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of confocal endomicroscopic imaging technologies for medical, translational and pre-clinical applications. Their technology enables real-time, non-destructive, 3D, in-vivo digital imaging at the single-cell level. |
Associate Director, Diagnostics Senior Marketing Manager – Just Offered IT Systems Operations Manager – Just Offered 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. Medical Science Liaison – MSL – Oncology 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. |
Senior Bioinformatics Consultant/ Scientific Manager
Bioinformatics and data-focused professional experienced in delivering analytical and technical solutions to biotech and pharma companies. Background includes working with complex biological datasets, developing reproducible data workflows, and providing research support and project delivery through scientific insight and technical execution. Brings hands-on experience in exploratory analysis, operational delivery, scripting, workflow automation, version control, and cloud-based tools, with a strong focus on improving efficiency, reproducibility, and data quality. Keen to engage in opportunities at the intersection of biology, technology, and big data. Currently on a working holiday visa, located in Brisbane, open to relocation within Australia.
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.
Internationally experienced EXPAT Executive/Board
Drug developer with extensive leadership experience across the Discovery to Development continuum in major pharmaceutical companies, encompassing small molecules and multi-modality biologics (many first- or only-in-class) across a broad range of therapeutic areas and indications. Available immediately for contract/projects/ board.
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
Comparison of Models: Intelligence, Performance & Price Analysis
AI Agents at Scale: A data scientist’s journey to transform clients with tech
Global AI Adoption in 2025—A Widening Digital Divide
Can Digital Ghosts Help Us Heal?
Introducing OpenAI for Healthcare
These jobs will thrive – but others may vanish – as AI transforms Australia’s workforce
Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure
AI may be exposing jobseekers to discrimination. Here’s how we could better protect them
As AI Advances, Tools to Connect to Your Future Self Grow More Vivid and Useful
A PhD is an apprenticeship in research – we can’t let AI take that away
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 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 ask the right questions to meet our clients and candidates needs.
mexec is a strategic partner with ARCS
We now have a year-round partnership with ARCS Australia, which will ensure visibility and continuous engagement with key industry stakeholders in the clinical trials and regulatory sectors. This strategic partnership enhances our presence at the annual conference and extends our reach and impact throughout the year.
mexec recruits key roles in the clinical trials and regulatory sectors, and our remit includes Directors of Commercial Operations for Biotechnology companies and Heads of Data Management and CRAs for leading Australian CROs.
ARCS is an Australian-based professional organisation that focuses on career-long professional development for its members in the therapeutic goods sector. ARCS provides education, competency building, and information sharing within communities of practice, as well as targeted advocacy and collaboration with a range of stakeholders.
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Marilyn from mexec is proud to announce that she is now part of the AusBiotech’s Advisory Group! |
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
Mapping the genetic landscape across 14 psychiatric disorders
Shared genetic risk in psychiatric disorders
Cannabis-Based Products for Chronic Pain
Botox could be used to fight snakebite
Nationwide genetic screening proves effective at catching disease risk early
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Business Spotlight How do you compare your business to others? What is a ratio and why is it important? Find out more! |
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!
Tell your professional story in your About section
Don’t leave this empty! This is your chance to showcase your professional experience and tell your story!
mexec strategy day!
Fabulous to have the team all together in Melbourne recently. It’s always great to get together and look at the focus of what and where mexec is going, particularly in relation to our vision of “Connecting people for success”
Thanks to my team for their insights, and we look forward to working with many of you this year.
mexec Group Trainings & Workshops
Marilyn ran an in person mexec jobstrategy™ training at The Peter Doherty Institute
Marilyn presented to the PhDs and Students at the Peter Doherty on successful strategies for their job search.
Testimonial:
“It is a very helpful session that provided information about job preparation A-Z. Covering everything from applying to jobs, to preparation for interviews, and also on networking.”
Marilyn and Janice hosted an online group mexec jobstrategy™ workshop for IMNIS mentees
Marilyn and Janice undertook their yearly 2-hour workshop session with the IMNIS mentees.
Areas we covered included identifying the skills and qualities developed in their career and translating their expertise effectively into their CV, Cover letter, Selection Criteria, Interviews, and LinkedIn & social media.
Marilyn running an in person mexec jobstrategy™ training with a PhD Group from MTP Connect.
Marilyn had a wonderful time recently with this fabulous PhD group and the MTPConnect team. Quite frankly, she could have stayed all day chatting to them!
Such an interactive group! This next generation – particularly educated in my home town of Adelaide.👏👏 – is something to watch!
Recent Industry Events
AusBiotech BioBriefing at Adelaide University
Wholesale Investor Emergence 2026
Building International Biotech Partnerships Event
Women in BIO and Health Industry Forum
MTPConnect Accelerator Showcase Day & Networking Dinner
BioMelbourne Network Women In Leadership Awards
Annual Life Sciences Queensland Networking Breakfast
Launch of the Life Science Incubator at QIMR Berghofer
Launch of Eagleworks at La Trobe University
AusBiotec BioCheers, AusBiotech Womens Lunch and AusBiotech Womens Leadership Breakfast
See mexec at the Following Events
Marilyn met with her local member, Gabriel Ng. She had wanted to do this for several years; however, with the change in government, it finally happened.
Many of the topics of discussion included introducing who AusBiotech and ARCS are to him:
Small businesses and the lack of support for small companies
Why companies are doing their R&D overseas and not locally.
NDIS issues for a friend of mine and overcharging concerns by rogue companies.
He is happy to keep in touch and is interested in hearing about our work on the AusBiotech committees on how to improve outcomes for science in Australia.
I encourage you to make time to reach out to your local MP as well.
Links of Interest
The Math of Why You Can’t Focus at Work
Orange juice found to affect thousands of genes in immune cells, study says
Global Innovation Hubs Index 2025
Should unis ditch group assignments?
The British Sleep Society position statement on Daylight Saving Time in the UK
5,000-Year-Old Bacteria Strain Found in Ice Cave Resistant to 10 Common Antibiotics
Marilyn’s newsletter of interest:
mexec is sponsoring the 2026 BioMelbourne Network Connecting Women Lunch!
The BioMelbourne Network Connecting Women Lunch, held on Friday 15 May 2026, will bring together leaders, innovators and emerging talent from across the sector to celebrate achievement, strengthen networks and inspire the next generation of women in health technologies.
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See Marilyn at the upcoming MAPA and ARCS Conference in Melbourne next month! mexec is a long-term partner of ARCS |
Registration Now for the 2026 Insights Event!
Event Details
Date: Monday, 18 May 2026
Location: Sydney, The Ivy Ballroom
Format: Full-day conference + networking function
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Behind the scenes at mexec
Meet Phil, our IT guru. I personally want to give a big shout-out to Phil, who has supported mexec for over 7 years.
If you need IT support, reach out to him at [email protected]
One of the most enjoyable parts of my role is meeting people from many areas. I had met Robyn on ZOOM during COVID, and I finally had the pleasure of meeting her in person 6 years later at the recent AusBiotech/Medicines Australia lunch.
I hope this year is a good one and you ‘connect with people for success’. See you soon! Hopefully, it does not take 6 years.
With best wishes,
Marilyn Jones & the mexec team
mexec
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