SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
CuspAI is a frontier AI company focused on using artificial intelligence to accelerate materials discovery for global challenges including energy, clean water, advanced computing, and carbon capture. The company's founding team comprises world-class researchers in AI, chemistry, and engineering, and the company is rapidly expanding its research capabilities.
You will lead the development of CuspAI's R&D "supply chain" across EMEA, ensuring the company has access to the data, compute resources, and laboratory facilities needed to accelerate materials discovery. This is a foundational role building the technical and academic ecosystem that fuels the research engine.
Your responsibilities will span three main areas:
**Compute & Infrastructure Partnerships:** Lead negotiations and manage strategic relationships with major compute providers to ensure AI researchers have scalable, cost-effective infrastructure. Monitor and optimize compute usage agreements in alignment with technical roadmap and budget.
**Research Ecosystem & Academic Alliances:** Identify, negotiate, and close partnerships with leading academic institutions and research labs to secure experimental data and specialized facilities access. Manage relationships with scientific publishers to facilitate data ingestion and collaborative research. Navigate IP and technology transfer complexities to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.
**Grants & Institutional Funding:** Collaborate with the research team to identify grant opportunities. Lead commercial and partnership aspects of grant applications. Cultivate relationships with funding bodies and consortium stakeholders to position CuspAI favorably for high-impact scientific programs.
You will work closely with the Head of Partnerships, AI researchers, chemists, legal, and finance teams to align partnership priorities with company milestones. The role is based in Cambridge or London (with flexibility for Amsterdam or Berlin for the right candidate), with an expectation of three days per week in office and regular travel to partner sites.
**Requirements:**
- Seasoned negotiator with relevant experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or technology transfer, preferably in deep-tech or high-growth AI environments
- Substantial experience directly managing cloud provider agreements
- Strong technical background with degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Life Sciences, or related field (Masters or PhD preferred)
- Exposure to AI Agents, MCP (Model Context Protocol) interfaces, or related experience
- Expert communicator able to translate scientific goals into compelling commercial proposals
- Ability to thrive in early-stage environments with autonomy to build partnership frameworks from scratch
**Bonus qualifications:**
- Track record navigating complex negotiations with universities and/or global publishers
- Existing networks within EMEA research ecosystem, particularly with UK and European university technology transfer offices
- Familiarity with European grant landscape (Horizon Europe, Innovate UK)
- Experimental chemistry and laboratory experience
- Personal passion for sustainability and AI's potential in materials science
