Vice President of Research & Development
No salary listed
Expert
PhD
Madison, WI, USA
In PersonDomestic and international travel of approximately 10% is required.
Biology & Biotech
About the job
Requirements
- A PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or a related field is required; stem cell experience is a plus.
- At least 15 years of research and development experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, life science, or contract development and manufacturing organization industry is required, including at least 10 years of management or leadership experience.
- Relevant experience building high-performing, cross-functional teams responsible for optimizing portfolio delivery is required.
- Strong familiarity with regulated pharmaceutical development and the Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and other global Ministries of Health is required.
- The candidate must be able to influence outcomes through effective communication across functions and at the executive level.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities must include hiring, retaining, developing, and motivating scientific talent; team development; managing through adversity; effective communication with internal and external stakeholders; and a strategic outlook with the ability to defend research positions while achieving program objectives.
- A proven track record of driving accountability and fostering problem-solving within a team is required.
- A history of translating a corporate mission into specific team objectives, breaking down organizational boundaries through collaboration, and building strong relationships based on trust with employees at all levels is required.
- The candidate must be able to become a strategic partner with business leaders, identify strategic opportunities for research and development, and conceptualize innovative approaches to broad business challenges.
- Proficiency in research and development planning and driving execution through a team is required.
- Demonstrated proficiency in managing multiple projects and changing priorities to meet timelines and budgets is required.
- The candidate must be available for approximately 10% domestic and international travel.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and deliver research and development milestones, including discovery research new product development, contract development and manufacturing organization milestones outlined in agreements or statements of work, and discovery research custom projects.
- Collaborate with Finance and Business Development to create and refine contract development and manufacturing organization financial models to ensure profitable programs.
- Plan and execute new-product development and improvement of existing products in alignment with the commercial team, ensuring an efficient and effective new product introduction process and release of quality products to the life science market.
- Work with the Executive team to develop and execute the long-term strategic business plan and communicate it to the research and development team through the goal-setting process.
- Manage departmental annual budgets and quarterly forecasting, headcount, and expenses to meet approved spending plans while achieving departmental commitments and project objectives and driving company operating profit.
- Identify, develop, and deploy best practices across research and development functions, advance innovation opportunities, enhance development, and accelerate time to market.
- Communicate and manage program status, initiatives, roadblocks, and recovery plans with Senior Management to achieve projects on time and on budget.
- Drive portfolio valuation and prioritization analyses and provide technical assessments and recommendations to optimize the return and risk of portfolio investments.
- Facilitate investigational new drug submissions and clinical development of partnered programs in accordance with regulatory standards.
- Represent the company to prospective and current therapeutic and contract development and manufacturing organization clients as the leader for induced pluripotent stem cell and cell therapy development.
- Drive innovation to maintain leadership in advanced induced pluripotent stem cell technologies and support for therapeutic developers.
- Support early-stage programs, including technology transfer, clinical manufacturing support, and investigational new drug submissions, in partnership with therapeutic clients.
- Drive execution of development programs and goals, define key go/no-go criteria, and manage matrix teams.
- Identify project issues, implement mitigation strategies, and ensure technically sound responses to information requests from regulatory bodies.
- Implement standard processes that create measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and consistency for clinical programs.
- Ensure employee engagement within and across teams in collaboration with Human Resources and senior management.
- Select, develop, train, and retain development and operations professionals to achieve company objectives and timelines.
- Collaborate with HLUS Compliance and other departments on compliance issues, business continuity, and planning.
Desired Qualifications
- Stem cell experience is a plus.
About the company
Fujifilm Corporation is the main operating and manufacturing arm of the Fujifilm group, applying its precision chemistry, nanotechnology, and optical engineering to deep-tech and life sciences. It runs Bio CDMO facilities that manufacture biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, makes advanced materials like photoresists and chemical slurries for semiconductors, and develops AI-powered diagnostic imaging devices, endoscopes, and ultrasound systems, while also selling INSTAX cameras and X-Series products. It differentiates itself by applying a long history of precision manufacturing at scale across life sciences, materials, and medical devices rather than focusing on a single niche. Its goal is to turn strategic capabilities into tangible products that advance healthcare, electronics manufacturing, and imaging, maintaining leadership in precision manufacturing and applied science worldwide.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
Founded
1934
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Oita's August 2026 post-CMP cleaner plant triples capacity for AI semiconductors.
- Fujifilm's ₹800 crore Dholera plant starts phased investment in October 2026.
- Dimatix's September 2026 PhaseMaster targets packaging, additive manufacturing, and photovoltaic printing.
What critics are saying
- FDA recalled Synapse PACS on July 22, 2026, signaling software quality weaknesses.
- Fujifilm Diosynth's 2025 data-incident settlement exposes cybersecurity liability and customer trust erosion.
- Polaroid's Instax trade-dress litigation still hangs over Fujifilm's consumer imaging franchise.
What makes Fujifilm unique
- Fujifilm monetizes proprietary chemistry across semiconductors, healthcare, and imaging.
- September 2026 Dholera and Oita expansions tighten local supply for critical materials.
- Rapidus and Tata Electronics partnerships place Fujifilm inside leading-edge manufacturing ecosystems.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation
- Remote Work Options