R&D Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Biological Development Manager for a direct-hire opportunity with an innovative organization in the biologics industry. If you're passionate about leading scientific teams, driving vaccine development, and bringing innovative biologics from concept through manufacturing, we encourage you to apply.Position Summary

The Biological Development Manager will lead a Research & Development team responsible for developing vaccine products and manufacturing procedures for both internal and external projects. This leadership role oversees scientific strategy, project execution, personnel management, regulatory support, and technology transfer while ensuring compliance within a regulated biologics environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage an R&D team focused on vaccine development and biologics process development.
• Oversee the development and production of experimental vaccines from early-stage research through manufacturing transfer.
• Direct bacterial fermentation, downstream concentration and recovery processes, lyophilization process development, optimization, scale-up, and technology transfer activities.
• Manage Master Seed/Cell production and coordinate submissions for required testing.
• Develop robust vaccine antigen production and downstream processing methods.
• Provide technical support to Manufacturing during process implementation and troubleshooting.
• Lead early-stage assay development for new product initiatives.
• Prepare, review, and support submissions to regulatory agencies.
• Develop project plans, establish timelines and budgets, and monitor project progress.
• Make strategic scientific and operational decisions aligned with organizational objectives.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with external clients and cross-functional internal teams.
• Supervise the daily operations of the R&D group, including project assignments and resource allocation.
• Mentor, train, and develop scientists and laboratory personnel.
• Ensure laboratory safety, compliance, and proper training of team members.
• Maintain laboratory facilities, equipment, and documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Generate new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as needed.
• Write, review, and approve internal and external protocols, technical reports, and scientific documentation.
• Monitor project deliverables and ensure timely completion of milestones.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline plus 10+ years of relevant industry experience, including 5+ years of direct supervisory experience OR
• Master's degree in a related scientific discipline plus 6+ years of relevant industry experience, including 3+ years of direct supervisory experience OR
• PhD in a related scientific discipline plus 4+ years of relevant industry experience, including 2+ years of direct supervisory experience .

Required Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated experience managing scientific projects and personnel within the biologics industry.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience mentoring, training, and developing junior scientists.
• Thorough understanding of USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) regulations and regulated industry requirements.
• Experience with vaccine development and biologics process development.
• Knowledge of bacterial fermentation, downstream processing, scale-up, technology transfer, and lyophilization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex scientific data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal stakeholders and external clients.
• Demonstrated proficiency in protocol development, technical report writing, and scientific documentation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and other cross-functional departments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting regulatory submissions for biologics products.
• Proven success transferring laboratory processes into commercial manufacturing.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent scientific projects and priorities.

What You'll Bring

• Strategic leadership and sound scientific judgment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• A collaborative leadership style with a focus on mentoring and team development.
• Commitment to quality, compliance, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to balance technical excellence with business objectives.

Apply today to join a collaborative scientific environment where your leadership and technical expertise will directly contribute to the advancement of innovative biologics and vaccine development programs

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals-it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

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