Head of Research and Development

Gender; Oman; On-site; OMR 20,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Gender in Oman seeks a senior leader to direct innovation, process optimization, and product development for penicillin and 6-APA manufacturing. You will oversee formulation development, scale-up, technology transfer, and regulatory compliance to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality.

Lead the R&D team, advance fermentation and downstream processing, and drive cost reduction and yield gains. Ensure GMP, FDA, and WHO compliance, collaborate with QA, Production, and Regulatory

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage R&D department with strategic goals.
• Develop and optimize fermentation, purification, and downstream processing for penicillin and 6-APA.
• Drive process improvements to cut costs and improve yields.
• Oversee formulation development and product stability studies.
• Manage technology transfer from lab to production.
• Ensure GMP, FDA, WHO, and other regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with QA, Production, and Regulatory Affairs.
• Mentor R&D personnel and train staff in analytical techniques.
• Stay updated with trends in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Skills

Leadership

GMP Compliance

Process Engineering

Penicillin Production

Fermentation

Regulatory Affairs

Education

PhD or Master's in Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical Sciences/Chemical Engineering

Job description

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.

Note: We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted