Scientific Director

OBJECTIVES: The Scientific Director of R&D at Hilleman Laboratories provides strategic leadership and scientific oversight for the organization’s vaccine and biologics development programs. In this pivotal role, the Scientific Director drives research innovation, guides project portfolios, and ensures that Hilleman Labs meets its mission of advancing global health through the delivery of cost-effective and high-quality vaccines, particularly for under-resourced regions. RESPONSIBILITIES: R&D Strategy and Leadership Help define the scientific vision and R&D roadmap in alignment with Hilleman Labs’ mission.Assist with Prioritization efforts of projects based on disease burden, technological feasibility, and potential impact on LMICs.Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence. Program Oversight Lead and oversee vaccine and biologics R&D programs from early concept through pilot-scale manufacturing.Establish and maintain scientific rigor across all projects. Stakeholder Collaboration Collaborate with internal teams to ensure seamless project execution.Engage external stakeholders to advance research objectives and secure necessary resources. Team Management Provide leadership, mentorship, and development support to scientific and program teams.Build team capability by fostering scientific excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.Promote a respectful, inclusive, and productive work environment. Budgeting and Resource Allocation Support the setting and management of R&D budgets and resources in collaboration with senior leadership and finance teams.Allocate resources effectively to meet project milestones within designated timelines. Compliance and Continuous Improvement Collaborate with internal teams to ensure compliance with all regulatory and quality requirements, including appropriate documentation and data integrity.Stay abreast of emerging scientific trends, technologies, and global health priorities to continually refine and improve R&D processes. EDUCATION, BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related field; a post-doctoral experience is an advantage.8–10+ years of experience in vaccine or biologics R&D, with a proven track record of successful product development.Demonstrated leadership or management experience in a scientific setting, preferably within an organization focused on global health.Knowledge of GMP, GLP, and other relevant quality/regulatory frameworks.Strong communication skills (written and verbal) for effective stakeholder engagement and team leadership. Technical Skills Extensive expertise in vaccine development, including analytical assays, formulation, and process optimization.Hands-on experience in assay validation, analytical method development, and data interpretation.Hands-on experience in lab-scale manufacturing, scale-up processes, and technology transfer protocols. Soft Skills Leadership and strategic thinking: Ability to guide cross-functional teams and align scientific initiatives with organizational goals.Cross-cultural communication: Experience working with international partners and a sensitivity to global perspectives.Stakeholder management: Skilled in building and maintaining relationships with diverse external entities.Problem-solving and innovation: Capacity to identify novel approaches and foster creativity in research teams.