Head of R&D

Get 360Pharma; Ter Apel; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 vacation days

8% holiday allowance

Good travel expense reimbursement

Pension scheme

Job summary

Get 360Pharma in Ter Apel, Groningen is seeking a Head of R&D to lead innovative drug substance development, ensuring alignment with business strategies. In this role, you will coordinate R&D activities across multiple sites, drive innovation in API production, and mentor high-performing teams.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry and has a strong commercial mindset, with experience in a CDMO environment. The position is on-site, offering a market-based salary and 28 vacation days.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related field.
• Experience in a CDMO environment preferred.
• Affinity with the pharmaceutical industry and knowledge of GMP and GDP guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation in API development and GMP production.
• Coordinate R&D activities across multiple sites.
• Act as the primary technical lead for CDMO activities.
• Accountable for R&D portfolio and project management.
• Define and implement R&D strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Build and mentor high-performing cross-site teams.
• Monitor market and scientific trends for new opportunities.

Skills

Commercially driven mindset

Solution-oriented mindset

Communication abilities

Project management

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry or related field

Job description

Overview

Are you an organic chemist who knows how to connect chemistry with business, and who brings a pragmatic, solution-focused mindset? We offer a unique and engaging opportunity to guide talented teams across multiple sites and combine chemistry, strategy and a commercial mindset to deliver a wide range of R&D services to our customers. As Head of R&D, you will take on the dynamic combination of a scientific, entrepreneurial, strategic leadership role in the Drug Substance Business Unit. We are looking for an expert who ensures coordination of R&D activities and evaluation of the feasibility of potential CDMO projects together with the Head of Business Development. In this role, you will be the point of contact internally and externally regarding the R&D activities. You will define and execute the R&D strategy across multiple sites, ensuring full alignment with business objectives while driving scientific and operational excellence. Acting as the bridge between research, production, and commercial functions, you translate innovation into tangible results, from early-stage development to technology transfer and scale-up. Through your leadership, you will foster collaboration and ensure that our R&D capabilities remain competitive and compliant in a dynamic, fast-evolving market.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation in API development and GMP production through integration of synthetic chemistry and chemical engineering – optimizing routes, process design, and scale-up for robustness, safety, and manufacturability.
• Coordinate R&D activities across multiple sites, ensuring consistent standards, communication, and project governance, ensuring delivery of projects within agreed deadlines and commitments.
• Act as the primary technical lead for the CDMO activities, both internally and in client discussions, supporting proposal development and project acquisition. This requires a solution driven mindset, even if this requires an unconventional way of thinking.
• Accountable for R&D portfolio, programs & project management discipline, leading all R&D initiatives from scoping to execution and delivery of milestones across the stage gate process.
• Define, implement, and monitor the R&D strategy aligned with Business Unit and Group objectives.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs to secure seamless technology transfer.
• Build, inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing cross-site teams with a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Ensure GMP, SHE, and quality compliance across all projects and sites.
• Monitor market and scientific trends to identify new opportunities and steer innovation proposals.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong commercially driven, entrepreneurial, pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset.
• Experience in a CDMO environment is preferred.
• Affinity with the pharmaceutical industry, with solid knowledge of GMP and GDP guidelines.
• In-depth understanding of API manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication abilities and customer orientation.
• Portfolio, Program & Project management in R&D environment (PMP or P30 preferred).
• Fluency in English, additional languages are a plus.

Benefits and Conditions

• A 40-hour work week, on-site in Ter Apel, Groningen.
• A market-based salary depending on knowledge and experience.
• 28 vacation days (fulltime), 8% holiday allowance, a good travel expense reimbursement, and a pension scheme.
• A position offering plenty of variety, diversity, freedom, and responsibility.
• Opportunities for development and personal growth.
• An active staff association that regularly organizes enjoyable company outings.