Vice President, Research

Job Description

The Role

The Vice President, Research provides enterprise-level leadership for Agilent’s research strategy, external scientific engagement, and long-term innovation agenda. This role is responsible for aligning discovery research, technology scouting, intellectual property strategy, and advanced technology centers of excellence with Agilent’s Business Unit and enterprise strategies.

The VP of Research leads global research operations with a focus on long-range growth, strategic partnerships, and innovation enablement. The role collaborates extensively with the Group Presidents, Corporate Strategy, Legal, Marketing, and other executive leadership, while representing Agilent to key external partners including universities, research institutions, and strategic technology partners.

This role will report directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and will be responsible for driving Agilent’s global technical research programs and directly managing a team of technical domain experts.

Key responsibilities

Enterprise Research Strategy

• Articulate, develop, and execute Agilent’s corporate research strategy aligned with enterprise and Business Unit priorities.
• Translate market trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies into multi-year research roadmaps and strategic investment plans.
• Continually evolve research strategies and programs to keep pace with scientific, technological, and market developments.
• Challenge assumptions and champion strategic change at the corporate level to enable long-term growth.

Technology Scouting & Strategic Partnerships

• Lead the enterprise technology scouting process in close coordination with Business Units and Corporate Strategy, including evaluation of buy, partner, or build opportunities.
• Identify and assess emerging technologies, platforms, and external capabilities relevant to Agilent’s long-term objectives.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key third parties, including technology partners, startups, and research consortia.
• Serve as Agilent’s primary executive liaison with select external partners and innovative ecosystems.

External Research Collaborations & Scientific Engagement

• Modernize and lead Agilent’s University Relations and external research collaborations, focusing on targeted partnerships that deliver strategic impact.
• Facilitate research collaborations with universities, national labs, and third-party research organizations.
• Oversee scientific advisory mechanisms, including advisory boards, special topic working groups, and research summits.
• Representing Agilent within the global scientific community and promote Agilent’s thought leadership.

Research Operations

• Provide global oversight for all Agilent internal research programs, identify risks or issues that may delay research programs or downstream product development and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee preparation of research budgets and ensure effective allocation of resources to high-impact initiatives.

Intellectual Property & Innovation Governance

• Coordinate the annual enterprise and Business-level IP strategy and portfolio review in partnership with Legal.
• Ensure IP strategies align with BU priorities and enterprise strategy, supporting both defensive and offensive innovation goals.
• Oversee Agilent internal innovation recognition programs and external innovation award programs.
• Manage central innovation funding and ensure disciplined governance of research investments.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of senior R&D leadership leading research functions aligned with long-term business strategy. 
• Extensive expertise and knowledge of life science, drug development or scientific instruments industry.
• Proven track record of developing and executing multi-year research and technology strategies tied to business outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience with technology scouting, external partnerships, and evaluation of buy/partner/build opportunities.
• Experience in synthesizing market dynamics, customer needs, and technology trends into actionable strategies, and overseeing intellectual property strategy in collaboration with legal and business stakeholders.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget development, resource allocation, and investment prioritization.
• Credibility with senior executives, customers, and external scientific and technology partners.
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