Strategic Science Research Manager

at  Lyka

WHO ARE WE?

Lyka is an Australian founded pet wellness company that’s shaking up an outdated industry and paving the way for happier, healthier pets. Despite medical advancements, animal lifespans are on the decline. Today, the average pet only reaches 37% of their full potential lifespan and statistics have shown us that many suffer from dental disease, cancer, and obesity. Simply put, the status quo is not enough.
As humans, we’ve experienced firsthand the positive impact fresh wholefoods can have on our health and wellbeing, and we believe our furry friends deserve the same. We’re on a mission to do just that, starting with nutritionally balanced, wholefood meals delivered direct to doors around Australia. As the world’s most sustainable pet wellness company, we’re putting pets and our planet first - one bowl at a time.
Today, we are proud to share we’ve served over 50 million meals to puppers and their parents across Australia, and this is just the beginning. Our vision is to create multiple nutritional products, adding disease prevention meals and supplements, and expand into new markets.
Currently, we have a team of 250+ pet-obsessed people, and we’re continuing to grow (yes, looking at you!). These carefully selected people are dedicated to building the next generation of technology and products to help empower pet parents to take control over their pet’s wellbeing.
To date, we have raised over $60M in funding from venture capital investors and pet industry insiders, who believe in our mission and ability to drive change in a stagnant industry, providing nutrition that nourishes puppers from the inside out.
Are you ready to shake things up and give pets the life they deserve? Come join our pack!

REQUIREMENTS

• An educational foundation in Medical/Health/Animal Science or similar (preferably to PhD level), with a keen understanding of the scientific method and its application in a business context.
• Experience in a strategic/commercial position beyond academia - for example within a commercialisation role, management consultancy, high growth start-up or similar.
• Skilled in structuring research, with demonstrated ability to oversee and prioritise multiple studies (to be carried out by external partners) concurrently.
• The ability to dissect study outcomes, including statistical skills to create detailed research study designs.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with, and effectively convey complex ideas and findings to, a diverse audience.

THE ROLE

As our Strategic Science Research Manager, you will lead the charge in bridging cutting-edge science with strategic business initiatives to propel pet health and nutrition forward.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Aid in developing our research strategy and pipeline to meet business goals, centring on our key thematic priorities: demonstrating the safety and efficacy of our products; improving the general health and happiness of puppers; improving our products to deliver greater benefits to pets; and developing new products and/or services based on research breakthroughs.
• Craft proposals grounded in solid statistical and scientific principles in line with our business goals - including cost modelling and spearheading the studies’ execution, while collaborating with external stakeholders such as universities.
• Supervise active research projects, ensuring they progress effectively and align with our investigative objectives.
• Engage in the analysis and synthesis of research results, transforming raw data into actionable insights and coherent findings.
• Assist in drafting papers that explain research outcomes and white papers that reinforce our perspectives and beliefs.
• Identify, apply for, and win grants to support our research initiatives.
• Partner seamlessly with key stakeholders - Dr. Matt, our co-founding vet to ensure that research initiatives align with product development; Data & Analytics to leverage insights and analyse studies; Customer Care for participant recruitment; and Marketing and Partnerships to showcase studies insight which demonstrate Lyka’s value.
• Keep a keen eye on the latest advancements and studies outside of Lyka. Distil and integrate these findings into tangible insights, aiding in product development and work to underscore the value of a whole food diet in canine health and nutrition.
• Embody and champion Lyka’s values in your research endeavours and collaborations.