Senior Level Research And Development Jobs
Senior level research and development jobs place experienced professionals in charge of research strategy, technical direction, and the cross-functional teams or project portfolios that move discoveries from concept to implementation. Openings concentrate in Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage, and Investment & Asset Management, with 27% of roles offered remotely or hybrid, and employers like Cambrex, Robinhood, and CooperSurgical hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 16+ Senior Level Research And Development jobs
Overview
The R&D Manager is responsible for leading and driving the research and development team for Kemin’s animal nutrition portfolio across Sub-Saharan Africa. The role is responsible for delivering innovative, science-based solutions that enhance animal health, feed efficiency, and customer performance, while ensuring alignment with global R&D strategy, regulatory requirements, and market needs.
Responsibilities
R& D strategy and innovation
- Develop and execute the regional R&D strategy aligned with Kemin’s global innovation priorities.
- Identify opportunities for new product development in feed safety, milling optimization, feed additives, premixes, and nutritional solutions.
- Monitor industry trends (e.g. feed efficiency, gut health, mycotoxin management) and competitor activity.
- Collaborate with global R&D teams on innovation pipelines and product adaptation for the SSA market.
Product development and localization
- Lead KSSA’s product innovation pipeline for continuous improvement of our product portfolio.
- Lead development, adaptation, and validation of products for local species and production systems (poultry, ruminants, swine, aquaculture where applicable).
- Oversee formulation, trial design, data analysis, and commercial readiness.
- Manage product lifecycle including reformulation, improvement, and discontinuation.
- Ensure scientific robustness and documentation to support product claims.
Trial management and scientific research
- Design and oversee in vivo and in vitro trials with research institutions, farms, and partners.
- Ensure trials meet scientific, statistical, ethical, and regulatory standards.
- Interpret trial results and convert data into actionable insights for commercial teams.
- Publish or present findings where appropriate to strengthen Kemin’s market credibility.
Leadership and team management
- Lead, coach, and develop the regional R&D team.
- Build strong scientific capability within the organisation.
- Support cross-functional knowledge transfer to commercial and technical services teams.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
Regulatory, quality and compliance
- Ensure R&D activities comply with regulatory frameworks (e.g., feed additive regulations, registration requirements, applicable standards in SSA countries).
- Work closely with quality and regulatory affairs on product registration and claims substantiation.
- Maintain alignment with Kemin global standards, quality systems, and audit requirements.
- Ensure accurate, auditable documentation and data integrity.
Commercial and customer support
- Partner with commercial and technical services teams to support product positioning and differentiation.
- Translate technical data into customer-friendly value propositions.
- Support product launches, training, and customer trials.
Project and portfolio management
- Manage the R&D project portfolio, ensuring prioritisation aligned to business strategy.
- Track timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to regional and global leadership.
- Ensure efficient use of resources and return on R&D investment.
Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Science (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or related field).
- 7–10 years’ experience in research and development.
- Proven track record of leading product development projects.
- Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., pharmaceutical, food, chemical, animal nutrition, manufacturing).
- Demonstrated people management and leadership experience.
Essential Skills
- Strong understanding of R&D processes and product development lifecycle.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies.
- Understanding of intellectual property and innovation practices.
- Awareness of industry trends and technological advancements.
- Strategic thinking and innovation leadership.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Leadership and team development skills.
- Effective stakeholder engagement and influencing.
- High attention to detail and quality orientation.
Overview
The R&D Manager is responsible for leading and driving the research and development team for Kemin’s animal nutrition portfolio across Sub-Saharan Africa. The role is responsible for delivering innovative, science-based solutions that enhance animal health, feed efficiency, and customer performance, while ensuring alignment with global R&D strategy, regulatory requirements, and market needs.
Responsibilities
R& D strategy and innovation
- Develop and execute the regional R&D strategy aligned with Kemin’s global innovation priorities.
- Identify opportunities for new product development in feed safety, milling optimization, feed additives, premixes, and nutritional solutions.
- Monitor industry trends (e.g. feed efficiency, gut health, mycotoxin management) and competitor activity.
- Collaborate with global R&D teams on innovation pipelines and product adaptation for the SSA market.
Product development and localization
- Lead KSSA’s product innovation pipeline for continuous improvement of our product portfolio.
- Lead development, adaptation, and validation of products for local species and production systems (poultry, ruminants, swine, aquaculture where applicable).
- Oversee formulation, trial design, data analysis, and commercial readiness.
- Manage product lifecycle including reformulation, improvement, and discontinuation.
- Ensure scientific robustness and documentation to support product claims.
Trial management and scientific research
- Design and oversee in vivo and in vitro trials with research institutions, farms, and partners.
- Ensure trials meet scientific, statistical, ethical, and regulatory standards.
- Interpret trial results and convert data into actionable insights for commercial teams.
- Publish or present findings where appropriate to strengthen Kemin’s market credibility.
Leadership and team management
- Lead, coach, and develop the regional R&D team.
- Build strong scientific capability within the organisation.
- Support cross-functional knowledge transfer to commercial and technical services teams.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
Regulatory, quality and compliance
- Ensure R&D activities comply with regulatory frameworks (e.g., feed additive regulations, registration requirements, applicable standards in SSA countries).
- Work closely with quality and regulatory affairs on product registration and claims substantiation.
- Maintain alignment with Kemin global standards, quality systems, and audit requirements.
- Ensure accurate, auditable documentation and data integrity.
Commercial and customer support
- Partner with commercial and technical services teams to support product positioning and differentiation.
- Translate technical data into customer-friendly value propositions.
- Support product launches, training, and customer trials.
Project and portfolio management
- Manage the R&D project portfolio, ensuring prioritisation aligned to business strategy.
- Track timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to regional and global leadership.
- Ensure efficient use of resources and return on R&D investment.
Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Science (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or related field).
- 7–10 years’ experience in research and development.
- Proven track record of leading product development projects.
- Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., pharmaceutical, food, chemical, animal nutrition, manufacturing).
- Demonstrated people management and leadership experience.
Essential Skills
- Strong understanding of R&D processes and product development lifecycle.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies.
- Understanding of intellectual property and innovation practices.
- Awareness of industry trends and technological advancements.
- Strategic thinking and innovation leadership.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Leadership and team development skills.
- Effective stakeholder engagement and influencing.
- High attention to detail and quality orientation.
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- Investment & Asset Management
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Senior Level Research And Development Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level research and development job?
Employers at this level look for candidates who have owned research programs end to end, not just contributed to them. Demonstrated expertise in a specialized domain, a portfolio of published work, patents, or commercially deployed outcomes, and evidence of mentoring junior researchers or guiding cross-functional teams are the signals that move a candidate to the top of the consideration set. Tailoring your materials to show project leadership and measurable impact is essential.
Which companies hire senior level research and developments?
Companies hiring senior level research and developments right now include Cambrex, Robinhood, and CooperSurgical, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from large enterprises with dedicated R&D divisions, technology companies investing in product innovation, and life sciences or manufacturing firms with ongoing development pipelines.
Are there remote senior level research and development jobs?
Yes, though availability varies by specialization and employer. About 27% of senior level research and development openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with roles that are primarily analytical, computational, or strategy-focused offering the most flexibility. Positions requiring laboratory work, physical prototyping, or hands-on equipment are more likely to require an on-site presence.
What makes a research and development role senior level?
Senior level research and development roles are defined by scope, ownership, and influence rather than task execution. Professionals at this stage set research priorities, make independent technical decisions, and are accountable for outcomes across a program or domain. They routinely guide the work of others, represent R&D initiatives to stakeholders or leadership, and are expected to advance the state of the discipline within their organization.
Which industries hire the most senior level research and developments?
Senior Level research and development roles concentrate in Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage, and Investment & Asset Management, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they depend on sustained investment in new products, processes, or technologies to remain competitive, creating consistent demand for professionals who can lead long-horizon research efforts.