Research Manager Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field (or an M.S. with equivalent additional experience).
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in R&D within the biopharma or biotech industry.
• At least 2–3 years in a management or team-lead role.
• Record of high-quality achievement demonstrated by increasing responsibilities, promotions, peer-reviewed publications, patents, and/or successfully developed products.
• Track record of supporting effective cross-functional teams and collaborating closely with bench scientists.
• Direct experience developing novel assays directly or indirectly with external academic collaborators.
• Experience generating and standardizing experimental data to integrate with AI, machine learning, and predictive in silico workflows.
• Hands-on expertise in microbiome research or related disciplines.
• Experience contributing to products moving from concept to market in a regulated environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to design and interpret complex experiments, analyze large datasets (e.g., microbiome sequencing data, metabolomics), and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Deep understanding of microbiome science, probiotic strains, formulation science, and biopharma product development.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and manage external partnerships.

Nice To Haves

• Publications or patents in microbiome-related fields.
• Familiarity with relevant cell culture and in vitro assays critical to characterizing strains, understanding their function, and optimizing formulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute key R&D projects and programs from early development to commercialization.
• Lead project teams and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Foster innovation and generate data to support marketing teams.
• Ensure products meet regulatory and quality requirements.
• Contribute to the R&D strategy and roadmap aligned with the company’s vision and business goals.
• Own execution of assigned programs, balancing internal efforts with external collaborations.
• Stay current on emerging trends and opportunities in probiotics, microbiome research, and related biopharma fields.
• Work closely with Executive, Clinical, Revenue, Data, and Product teams to support key cross-functional initiatives.
• Serve as a resource and contributor across multiple departments for cross-functional projects, including consumer studies, investigator studies, and regulatory dossiers.
• Coordinate with other key departments, including Marketing, and external partners to support science-based initiatives.
• Communicate R&D progress, findings, and project plans to Product leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Attend and present at industry conferences and scientific meetings.
• Lead the design, development, and optimization of assigned microbiome products, formulations, and delivery systems.
• Support innovation through collaboration with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners.
• Contribute as a scientific lead on the science team, partnering with scientific staff to develop a scientific roadmap and research strategy.
• Inspire a culture of scientific rigor and innovation, translating discoveries into high-impact applications.
• Establish clear goals, KPIs, and performance metrics for the team and projects.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Provide technical guidance, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and ensure successful execution of research projects.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of milestones within budget.
• Build and harmonize data analysis infrastructure and best practices within the team.
• Align analysis and infrastructure practices with Pendulum’s Data Science and Engineering.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to manage external partnerships, including contract research organizations (CROs) and manufacturing partners.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Commuter Benefits
• Life & STD Insurance
• Company match on 401 (k)
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Equity