Research Director - Biologics Formulation Development

Role Summary

Location: Kalamazoo, MI, USA. Zoetis R&D is seeking a dynamic Research Director to lead a global team advancing pharmaceutical, biopharmaceuticals and vaccine products across species. The successful candidate will be a strategic, people-focused leader with a proven track record in drug product development, technology transfer, and cross-cultural team management. This role will guide a diverse, multinational group of scientists and collaborate with Research, Development, Quality, Regulatory and Manufacturing teams to bring breakthrough therapies to market.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing, multicultural team across Kalamazoo (USA), Lincoln (USA), and Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium).
• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and accountability across global sites.
• Coach and mentor scientific and technical staff, ensuring continued growth and technical excellence.
• Partner closely with Therapeutic Area (TA) and Species Leaders in Research to align development priorities with business strategy.
• Collaborate with CMC Development, Quality, and Manufacturing stakeholders to ensure robust, efficient, and compliant technology transfer from R&D to commercial manufacturing.
• Drive CMC excellence across modalities—small molecules, biologics, and vaccines.
• Provide scientific and technical direction in formulation, process development, and scale-up for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical products and vaccines.
• Lead and oversee technology transfer to manufacturing sites, ensuring process robustness and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to due diligence, product lifecycle management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Interface effectively with global stakeholders across R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations.
• Partner with leaders across the US, Europe, and India to align strategy, share best practices, and deliver integrated portfolio outcomes.
• Communicate complex scientific and strategic concepts clearly across different levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience & Expertise: Demonstrated success in people and matrix leadership within a global R&D environment.
• Experience & Expertise: Proven experience in technology transfer from R&D to Manufacturing for pharmaceuticals, biologics (mAbs), and/or vaccines.
• Experience & Expertise: Strong understanding of CMC development, regulatory expectations, and product lifecycle management.
• Experience & Expertise: Exposure to working with and leading teams across the US, Europe, and India.
• Experience & Expertise: Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Personal Attributes: Strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset.
• Personal Attributes: Empathetic, inspiring leader who cultivates talent and diversity.
• Personal Attributes: Agile, culturally sensitive collaborator across geographies and disciplines.
• Personal Attributes: Results-oriented professional passionate about advancing animal health innovation.

Education

• Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Formulation Sciences, or related discipline with 15+ years of relevant industry experience; or
• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical/Formulation Scineces with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.