Senior Director of Research & Innovation

Bring more to life. Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology? At Abcam, 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.

Progress happens together At Abcam, we believe the scientific community goes further, faster when we go there together. That’s why we work with life scientists to provide biological reagents and solutions that enable faster breakthroughs in critical areas like cancer, neurological disorders, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders. Our talented team of over 1,400 colleagues worldwide is our greatest asset. By applying our expertise and pushing boundaries, together we strive to better serve our customers, strengthen our impact across our industry, and ultimately our positive impact on society.

Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.

Senior Director of Research & Innovation is responsible for responsible for leading teams of scientists who are scouting and evaluating new business ideas, doing PoC studies and process development, and establishing new business lines. The role is accountable for the creation and implementation of strategic developments in the scientific area and contributes to short and long term success of Abcam. Communicating and collaborating with business partners and ELT members in other areas and in other functions across the organisation.

This position reports to the VP Innovation Leader & Interim R&D leader is part of the R&D team located in Waltham, US and will be an on‑site role.

• Manage a high‑performing team of Directors and Group leaders across multiple disciplines.
• Using their scientific background to establish new business lines, new products and capabilities in Abcam.
• Contribute to the success of R&D through a detailed understanding of the business and impact on the current strategy of Abcam.
• Develop and manage interpersonal relationships with multiple stakeholders across Abcam to shape Abcam’s future and sustain success.
• Lead evaluation and decision making on new ideas (ideation process) as well as implementation of prioritised ideas into projects.
• Influence decisions of senior leaders within and outside the company.
• Provide the leadership necessary to maximize the research and innovation team’s performance & success, creating a team where people want to work.
• Build cross‑functional collaboration: foster a collaborative mindset within the organization through their own example and by guiding colleagues and subordinates to engage outside collaborators.
• Drive innovation: continuously offer solutions that have the potential to generate revenue, including creating new revenue stream.
• Facilitate connection between working groups to share information and generate more robust solutions.
• Work to create environment where initiative, risk‑taking and creativity are rewarded more richly than safe behaviors.

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field, cell biology, biochemistry, biology, or other Life Sciences.
• An established track record in a similar role with 15 years + experience in an industrial environment.
• Recognized leader in scientific specialty as evidenced by publications, participation in international conference, membership on journal editorial boards, etc.
• Experience of setting strategy and monitoring delivery.
• Experience of leading global teams, working with leaders to set goals and standards to…