Director of R&D, and Testing

Position: Director of R&D, Applications and Testing
Bring more to life.

Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?

At Cytiva, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.

Working at Cytiva means being at the forefront of providing new solutions to transform human health. Our incredible customers undertake life-saving activities ranging from fundamental biological research to developing innovative vaccines, new medicines, and cell and gene therapies.

At Cytiva you will be able to continuously improve yourself and us – working on challenges that truly matter with people that care for each other, our customers, and their patients. Take your next step to an altogether life-changing career.

Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.

The Director of R&D, Applications and Testing for Cytiva is responsible for leading a global Applications organization that translates customer needs into scientific insight, technical capability, field enablement, and business impact.

This position reports to the VP RD&Eand is part of the Upstream and Fluid Management R&D team located in Marlborough, Massachusetts and will be on-site.

What you will do:

Lead a multi-layered applications organization of approximately 20 associates across three geographies, building clear priorities, accountability, collaboration, and talent development across the team.

Build strong partnerships with customers, Field Applications, Commercial, Product Management, and R&D teams, ensuring customer and industry perspectives are reflected in technical priorities, organizational strategy, and capability development.

Operate effectively within Cytiva’s stage-gate and process-oriented ways of working, helping the applications team influence decisions through evidence, structured input, and disciplined execution.

Provide scientifically credible leadership for upstream applications, with particular emphasis on cell culture, customer process understanding, and the biological factors that influence cell growth and performance.

Manage across a highly matrixed organization, including influencing senior stakeholders, aligning competing priorities, and representing the applications perspective in business and technical forums.

Build an applications culture that values customer motivation, scientific rigor, practical field support, and continuous improvement.

Who you are:

Bachelor's degree or higher in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.

Progressive leadership experience in life sciences, biotechnology, bioprocessing, or a related industry, including leadership of scientific, technical, applications, process development, technical services, product management, or customer-facing technical teams.

Experience leading global organizations across multiple geographic regions, including management of people leaders and/or senior technical contributors.

Direct technical experience in upstream bioprocessing, including cell culture, upstream process development, upstream applications, single-use bioreactor technologies, or related upstream manufacturing technologies.

Experience working directly with customers, commercial teams, field applications teams, technical support organizations, or customer-facing technical functions within the bioprocessing or life sciences industry.

Experience operating within matrixed organizations and…