Head of Research and Development

About the role

The Head of Research and Development will lead innovation, process optimisation and product development for state‑of‑the‑art penicillin and 6‑APA manufacturing. Reporting to senior management, you will drive strategic R&D initiatives that improve efficiency, cost‑effectiveness and quality while ensuring full regulatory compliance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the R&D department, setting strategic goals aligned with business objectives.
• Develop and optimise fermentation, purification and downstream processing techniques for penicillin and 6‑APA production.
• Drive process‑improvement projects to reduce costs and increase yields.
• Oversee formulation development, product stability studies and technology transfer from lab to full‑scale production.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, FDA, WHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Production and Regulatory Affairs teams.
• Mentor R&D personnel, identify training needs and manage the analytical laboratory budget.

Required profile

• PhD or Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 13+ years of experience in pilot‑plant operations or process engineering within the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in penicillin production or similar antibiotic processes is a plus.
• Proven ability to work in an international, multicultural environment.

Required skills

• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) knowledge
• FDA and WHO regulatory compliance
• Fermentation, purification and downstream processing
• Technology transfer
• Analytical techniques
• Process engineering