Head of R&D

Spalding
11 hours ago
Create job alert

STEM Recruitment Solutions is seeking a highly skilled Head of R&D to join our client based in Lincolnshire on a permanent basis. The company are working at the forefront of plant research and development in the UK, and their team of industry leading scientists use their expert knowledge in plant cultivation and chemistry to produce unique, plant-derived functional and active ingredients.

We are looking for an experienced, innovative, and collaborative scientific leader to execute the overall research and development strategy. This focuses on developing and bringing to market plant derived ingredients, using super-critical CO2 extraction and other processes, for diverse applications from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics. This leader will bring a clear vision of the profitable opportunities around high-quality ingredients, and find solutions that meet the functional, commercial and regulatory requirements of our clients.

Key responsibilities:

* Formulate & implement the R&D strategy and vision in line with the overall Bioscience strategic plan.

* Work closely with the commercial production team to translate scientific vision and R&D output into product delivery and profit for the business and its strategic partners.

* Provide leadership & direction to deliver projects & objectives, focusing the scientific team on delivery with key milestones and targets.

* Manage evaluation and execution of all research programs to ensure appropriate study design, scientific review, feasibility, regulatory approval, commercial attractiveness, timelines and budgets are met.

* Ensure development and protection of company IP which will generate value, including patents, technical know-how, processes and skills

* Develop unique processes to advance the business’ product pipeline, and improve existing processes

* Develop & supervise engagement with external research, academic and commercial partners.

Experience

*

Significant industry experience in the development of plant-derived ingredients.

*

Knowledge of extraction, purification and further modification processes, including the use of supercritical CO2

*

Strong record of profitable product and project delivery, and of IP creation, including processes, patents and publications

*

Essential qualifications are an MSc in chemistry or biochemistry and ideally a PhD in a related subject

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Director, Project Operating Model and Leadership Excellence

Head of Operations / Site Lead - diagnostics

Head of Pharmacovigilance Operations

Associate Director, AI & Advanced Analytics

Senior Design Engineer - Medical Devices

Head, PV and Regulatory QA

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

New Biotech Employers to Watch in 2026: UK and Global Companies Transforming Life Sciences Careers

The biotechnology job market in the UK is entering a new phase—one defined by scientific breakthroughs, targeted investment, and a growing pipeline of innovative employers. For professionals browsing BiotechnologyJobs.co.uk, the key question is no longer just which companies exist, but which ones are scaling, hiring, and shaping the future of life sciences. In this article, we explore the new biotech employers to watch in 2026, focusing on UK-based startups, scale-ups, and international firms with a growing UK presence. These organisations have recently secured funding, partnerships, or strategic backing—strong indicators of hiring momentum in the months ahead.

CSL Behring Jobs UK: Careers, Salaries, Locations & How to Get Hired

CSL Behring is one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies specialising in plasma-derived therapies, recombinant proteins, gene therapy, vaccines, and rare disease treatments. If you’re a UK job seeker looking for a career with real purpose, strong scientific standards, and long-term progression, CSL Behring roles can be an excellent fit, especially if you have experience in biotech, pharma manufacturing, quality, engineering, supply chain, clinical operations, regulatory, pharmacovigilance, or commercial. This guide is written for UK candidates who want to understand what CSL Behring jobs typically involve, which roles to target, where opportunities may be based, what skills recruiters look for, and how to tailor your application to stand out.

How Many Biotechnology Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Biotech Job?

If you are trying to break into biotechnology or progress your career, it can feel like the list of tools you are expected to know is endless. One job advert asks for PCR, another mentions cell culture, another lists bioinformatics pipelines, automation platforms or GMP systems. LinkedIn makes it worse, with people sharing long skills lists that make you wonder if you are already behind. Here is the reality most biotech employers will not say out loud: they are not hiring you because you know every tool. They are hiring you because you understand biological systems, can work accurately and safely, follow protocols, interpret results and contribute reliably to a team. Tools matter, but only when they support those outcomes. So how many biotechnology tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The answer depends on the role you are targeting, but for most job seekers it is far fewer than you think. This article breaks down what employers really expect, which tools are essential, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look employable rather than overwhelmed.