Director, R&D
About The Position
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you will discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer. We are seeking an experienced and innovative Director of R&D to lead high-impact research initiatives that drive scientific, technical, or business advancement. In this role, you will define research strategy, lead complex multidisciplinary projects, mentor researchers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research into practical solutions. The ideal candidate combines deep subject matter expertise with strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a track record of delivering influential research outcomes. Key focus areas for the Director of R&D include Synthetic Biology, Cell Biology, Genomic Sequencing, and Genome Editing.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field is required.
- 20+ years of progressive research experience, including leadership of complex research programs in the above listed fields.
- Demonstrated record of high-impact research, publications, patents, or commercially successful innovations.
- Strong analytical, statistical, and experimental design skills.
- Experience leading cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proven ability to influence strategy and make data-driven decisions.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience managing multiple concurrent research initiatives.
- Record of obtaining external research funding or leading collaborative research partnerships.
- Experience with emerging technologies, AI/ML, data science, or other domain-specific research tools relevant to the organization.
- Established professional network within academia, industry, or research communities.
- Experience mentoring senior researchers or leading research organizations.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute long-term research strategies aligned with organizational goals.
- Lead the design, planning, and execution of complex research projects from concept through implementation.
- Identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities to inform future research directions.
- Design rigorous research methodologies, analyze data, and ensure high standards of scientific and technical integrity.
- Publish research findings in technical reports, white papers, or present at industry conferences, as appropriate.
- Collaborate with product, engineering, business, academic, and external partners to translate research into innovative products, services, or processes.
- Represent the organization as a recognized subject matter expert with customers, partners, and industry forums.
- Evaluate research outcomes and communicate insights and recommendations to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
- Ensure research activities comply with ethical, regulatory, and organizational standards.
Benefits
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
