Director of R&D

Company Description

LGC is a leading, global life science tools company, providing mission-critical components and solutions into high-growth application areas across the human healthcare and applied market segments. Its high-quality product portfolio is comprised of mission-critical tools for genomic analysis and for quality assurance applications, which are typically embedded and recurring within our customers’ products and workflows and are valued for their performance, quality, and range. 

Job Description

The Director of R&D will develop strategic and operating plans that support the company's research and development work across all sites in areas related to Genomics/Oligos/Nucleic Acid Chemistries/Reagents. You'll determine overall organizational structure and allocation of managerial responsibilities for new product development. Also, you will assess, and integrate where appropriate, R&D processes across sites to improve R&D productivity and cohesiveness.

You will provide leadership to direct others in solving complex technical problems as well as reviewing/approving all major R&D projects. The Director of R&D will represent the company externally at scientific meetings, with external collaborations and with key opinion leaders. 

Oligo chemistry knowledge:

1. A deep understanding of the application space and key core attributes and modifications of oligos in both DNA and RNA in their various forms
2. Understand the underlying oligo chemistry and depth of understanding of oligo synthesis processes
3. Understand NAC (Nucleic Acid Chemistry) products and how they relate and support the oligo franchise both internally and externally and how the building blocks support the NAT marketplace

NGS knowledge:

1. Knowledge of NGS technologies and the approaches of short and long read sequencing platforms with related benefits/shortcomings technically
2. Application space of NGS – notably tGBS (Genotyping by sequencing) with understanding of use and utilization in clinical and applied application space – notably understanding of the workflows and approaches used – important to understand (or learn) the competitive landscape and that of our clients and their use of components in this area – notably our NPD NGS Oligo work in index plates as well as barcodes, primers, adaptors
3. Critical to understand the details within the workflow(s) of NGS as it relates to the future of the tGBS solutions which were/are a big chunk of the market growth and licensing potential for AmpSeq and FlexSeq.  

PCR:

1. Application space for MDx and Applied
2. ePCR, qPCR, dPCR RT-qPCR etc..
3. Amplification technologies outside of PCR (NEAR, RPA, TMA, LAMP, etc)
4. Understanding of probe technologies and complexity of assay design with each of the above

Sample separation:

1. Mag based general knowledge as well as advantages and benefits of various solutions
2. General understanding of the various “crude” approaches
3. Understanding of plant material extractions although if existing team members are not exited that will be less relevant and can be shared in terms of complexity

Enzymes:

1. Use of enzymes in all of the above 
2. Enzyme development/engineering

Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in a relevant field (chemistry, biochemistry, etc.)
• 10+ years' experience in chemical process research and development in an industry setting
• Experience in organic chemistry

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with oligo synthesis and purification
• Experience in dye and quencher creation
• Experience with stage-gated product development
• Experience managing large research group

Competencies & Behaviors:

• Experience with common tools used in organic synthesis and oligonucleotide synthesis
• Experience with routine laboratory instruments such as HPLC, UV spectrophotometer (academic/classroom experience applicable)
• Experience with analytical techniques and data interpretation using HPLC and LC-MS systems
• Demonstrated ability to maintain state of the art competences and know-how within oligo manufacturing and oligo-based applications
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, clearly set goals and effectively manage multiple concurrent work streams successfully, delivering on-time and on budget results
• A track record of successfully achieving goals and solving problems in the relevant environment
• Ability to communicate difficult concepts, ideas, and solutions to project teams and leadership
• Knowledge and understanding regulatory factors and maintaining expert knowledge in chemistry

Additional Information

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