Head of Research & Development; Diagnostics

Job Description

Job Description: Head of R&D (In‑Situ Hybridization)

Location: Northern Germany (Needs to be in the office twice a week in North Germany)

Department: Research & Development

Employment Type: Full-Time

A leading diagnostics company are searching to appoint a highly skilled and visionary Head of R&D (In‑Situ Hybridization). This is a strategic, high‑impact role overseeing innovation, technology development, and scientific excellence across the full ISH product portfolio.

As the Head of R&D, you will shape long‑term scientific direction, lead a multidisciplinary team, and drive the development of advanced ISH technologies that support cutting‑edge diagnostic solutions. Candidates must be based in Northern Germany
, as regular on‑site leadership presence is essential.

• Strategic R&D Leadership
• Develop and execute the R&D strategy for ISH technologies in alignment with corporate objectives, market needs, and regulatory expectations.
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to interdisciplinary R&D teams across molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, engineering, and assay development.
• Oversee complex portfolios, ensuring strong prioritization, resource planning, and timely delivery.

• Technology & Product Innovation
• Lead innovation across modern ISH technologies, including ISH, FISH, RNA‑ISH, and multiplex formats
  .
• Guide all phases of product development: feasibility, design, verification, validation, and transfer to manufacturing.
• Ensure the scientific robustness and technological competitiveness of all ISH pipeline activities.
• Oversee program governance, timelines, budgets, and risk management across multiple simultaneous development tracks.
• Ensure effective alignment and collaboration with Regulatory, Quality, Operations, Product Management, and Commercial teams.

• Communicate complex topics clearly and confidently at senior management and stakeholder level.
• Mentor, develop, and inspire high‑performing R&D teams; cultivate a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, and accountability.
• Represent R&D in cross‑functional decision‑making and strategic planning.

• Support compliance with diagnostic regulatory frameworks, especially IVDR
  , across all R&D outputs and documentation.
• Collaborate closely with regulatory and quality functions to ensure readiness for audits, submissions, and product claims.

• Completed university degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology
  , or a comparable scientific discipline.

• Experience in in‑situ hybridization (ISH) with proven accountability for both technology development and product development.
• Deep understanding of ISH methodologies, including FISH, RNA‑ISH, multiplex assays, and related platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of diagnostic technology development and assay commercialization.

• Demonstrated experience leading interdisciplinary R&D teams and complex scientific programs.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and decision‑making abilities.
• Strong project management abilities with strategic prioritization, planning, and resource allocation skills.

• Familiarity with regulatory requirements in diagnostics, ideally including IVDR experience.

• German and English at C1 level

• Must be based in Northern Germany
  , with the ability to be regularly on‑site for team leadership and project execution.