Research and Development Director, (RAD / RDEV)

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life – To enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We provide the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development, and delivery of life-changing therapies.

Our work in specialty diagnostics – from providing diagnostic assays and instruments to clinical monitoring across disease stages – improves the diagnosis and management of blood cancers and immune system disorders. Your determination to put patients at the heart of every decision will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.  

Location/Division Specific Information

The Binding Site Group, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, is a global leader in specialty diagnostics.  The Binding Site’s Freelite® offering is widely recommended for multiple myeloma diagnosis and monitoring across all stages of the disease by major clinical guideline publications. In addition, The Binding Site is an active and influential contributor to the broader scientific community! To find out more visit www.bindingsite.com.

The R&D Director will represent R&D at the extended leadership team meeting. The role will also promote Protein Diagnostics (PDx) R&D through patent submission, publications and at national and international meetings. An authority in all aspects of PDx R&D, this role would represent the organisation during regulatory body submissions as well as the support of dFMEA and QbD.

A Day in the Life:

• Management of teams focused on New Product Development for Optilite and EXENT platforms.
• Support products in the field through third level product support and continuous improvement, aimed at improving reliability and COG reduction.
• Setting strategic targets for EXENT, Optilite and Protein Purification teams as well as third party laboratories, as required
• Representing PDx Optilite and EXENT at all levels and in all scenarios, including but not exclusive to: leadership team discussions, customer interactions, national and international conference presentations.
• Responsible for R&D recruitment and competency framework. Accountable for all aspects of R&D, including budget management, training, design specifications, without the need for senior management involvement.
• Ensuring robust design transfer by meeting Right First-Time targets and on time R&D timeline delivery,
• Identification of novel ideals, methods, responsible for adding to PDx patent portfolio
• Communicating with and influencing processes with the PDx leadership team, other Thermo Fisher peers and external contacts.
• Close working relationship and collaboration with internal and external business partners, Country General Managers, MSLs, Senior Managers at HQ in Birmingham e.g.: R&D, Manufacturing, RA/QA, Technical Support, Business Development, Communications and Finance.

Reporting into our Birmingham UK Headquarters, this is an office-based position with up to 50% travel requirement.

Education

• BSc and an advanced degree (PhD) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Immunology, or Biological Sciences

Experience

• >10 years of work experience in IVD product manufacture, R&D, people / matrix management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading R&D new product introduction under a design control system.
• Budget management experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Record of accomplishment in innovation, successful IP submissions and / or continuous improvement in method development
• Proficiency in latex conjugation chemistry / antibody biochemistry
• Proficiency in antibody characterization, asaay development and biochemistry for use in IVD assays
• Proficiency in mass spectrometry, liquid handling and software integration
• Proficiency in IVD compliant product launch
• Ability to communicate at all levels and with all media types, including scientific publications, report writing, etc. Focus on scientific presentations and publications
• Complex, multi-discipline team management or matrix management, management of complex teams >10 personnel in size
• Working knowledge of project management software tools such as Microsoft Project, Excel, SmartSheet and other relevant applications
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent customer relationship and interpersonal communication
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, to take initiative, be resourceful, and exercise astute business judgment to drive performance.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written presentation skills in English.
• Demonstrated ability to champion customer needs and translate into compelling customer value.
• Desired experience implementing process/project-management techniques are strongly preferred.