We are hiring a new employee in the Research and Development Department

We are searching for a new employee to join our R&D department as Head of Innovation and Research. This person will be responsible for the early phase of assay development (exploratory, proof-of-consept), with the consequent project transfer into the product development group to fill the product pipeline of Gentian.

The work of the Head of Innovation and Research requires a close liaison with the Head of Product Development, a close collaboration with the CSO and the VP R&D; in addition to working cross-functionally within Gentian.

The Head of Innovation and Research reports to the Vice President of R&D.

Main responsibilities

• Lead immunoassay projects from the early research phase into the product development phase and contributes to the research projects through original/novel/innovative input
• Responsible for developing project plans for research activities, aligning team activities with business objectives, maintaining a high quality of scientific work, and ensuring that the team delivers on business-critical milestones
• Perform work in lab on early phase assay development
• Close collaboration with CSO to develop current and new potentially innovative technology and contribute to developing new products
• Lead the research team towards overcoming technical challenges in early assay development
• Lead the research team on innovation processes beyond products (e.g. raw material treatment)
• Perform and lead training and mentoring of research team and perform own experiments to facilitate rapid progress toward project goals
• Accountable for facilitating career and skill development for direct reports, and responsible for maintaining performance standards for the team

Work tasks:

• Lead the research project planning, execution, and transfer into the product development group
• Maintain current knowledge of major technological and scientific developments in diagnostics and leverages this knowledge within responsible areas
• Performing deep investigations into the scientific literature to help lead the research team in the right direction on various projects and acts as a subject-matter expert for challenging scientific conclusions
• Summarize and present results to the Gentian leadership team, verbally and in written reports or presentations
• Working on improving Gentian’s processes for shortening timelines to optimized assays and accelerating the product development cycle
• Contributes to ideation process of the company with innovative technology ideas in order to secure a healthy development pipeline and/or processes
• Communicate effectively within the R&D team and interface with other departments within Gentian and with external partners to facilitate product development
• In close collaboration with the VP R&D and the CSO, contributes to the submission of patent applications in area of expertise
• If necessary, assist with expertise and resources into other departments
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the VP R&D, CSO or CEO

Qualifications and experience:

• At least 8-10 years of immunoassay product development experience within the IVD industry with working knowledge of bioconjugate chemistry
• Track record in early product development, design control and product transfer
• Working experience with turbidimetric immunoassays and clinical chemistry analysers
• Experience with working in regulated environments (i.e. ISO 13485, CLIA)
• Working expertise in a range of immunoassay techniques, specifically protein conjugation with the attachment of antibodies onto nanoparticles
• Proven leader with the ability to manage and motivate staff members
• Demonstrated ability to apply innovative approaches to product development
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Capable of balancing multiple priorities and working under deadline pressure
• Ability to define timelines, priorities and resources needed to meet schedule and budget
• A strong initiative and drive to complete challenging tasks and learn new technologies

Formal Education

• Minimum 5 years of formal education in science within relevant subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Statistics, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine)

Additional skills

• Language skills: fluent English is required as English is the official company language. Able to communicate in Norwegian is an advantage but not a requirement
• Experience applying Design of Experiments and structured problem-solving methods to advance understanding of concepts and finding root causes
• Skilled in IT tools, especially Excel and Word
• Skilled in statistical tools
• Experience Big Data/AI are of advantage