Head of R&D

Gender; Oman; On-site; OMR 35,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Gender seeks a visionary leader to guide innovation, process optimization, and product development for penicillin and 6-APA manufacturing in Sohar, Oman. You will oversee fermentation, purification, formulation development, and technology transfer while ensuring GMP and regulatory compliance.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD or Master’s in a related field with 13+ years in pilot plant operations or process engineering, plus international experience.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 13+ years in pilot plant operations or process engineering in pharma/biopharma; penicillin production a plus.
• Experience in international or multicultural environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the R&D department with strategic goals aligned to the business.
• Develop and optimize fermentation, purification, and downstream processing for penicillin and 6-APA.
• Drive process innovations to reduce costs and improve yields.
• Oversee technology transfer from lab to full-scale production.
• Ensure GMP, FDA, WHO and regulatory compliance across operations.
• Mentor R&D personnel and manage analytical budget.

Skills

Leadership

GMP compliance

Process optimization

Bioprocessing

Team management

Technology transfer

Education

PhD in Biotechnology

Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

29th June, 2026 Location: Sohar Job Summary: To lead the innovation, process optimization, and product development initiatives related to state-of-the-art penicillin and 6-APA manufacturing. Oversee the formulation development, scale-up processes, technology transfer, and related regulatory compliance to enhance production efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality standards. Demonstrates a strong understanding of GMP requirements . Tasks and Responsibilities: Manages the team to the level determined by Senior Management Lead and manage the R&D department, setting strategic goals aligned with business objectives. Develop and optimize fermentation, purification, and downstream processing techniques for penicillin and 6-APA production. Drive innovation in process improvement, ensuring cost reduction and yield enhancement. Oversee formulation development and product stability studies. Manage technology transfer from laboratory to full-scale production. Ensure compliance with GMP, FDA, WHO, and other regulatory requirements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Quality Assurance, Production, and Regulatory Affairs. Conduct research on novel methods to improve antibiotic production efficiency. Keep abreast of emerging trends and technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Mentor and develop R&D personnel, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Identify training needs for laboratory staff and develop training programs to enhance team competencies in analytical techniques and best practices. Assist in the development and management of the analytical laboratory budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

Desired Candidate Profile

Qualifications and Experience:

PhD. or Master's degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Minimum of 13+ years of experience in pilot plant operations or process engineering within the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry, with specific experience in penicillin production being a plus. Experience working in an international or multicultural environment is preferred.