Reporting to the CEO, this is an exciting opportunity to be one of the key members in the Senior Management Team. The R&D director will be responsible for all stages of drug development, including Proof of Concept (POC), pre-clinical and IND-enabling studies and early stage clinical studies.

She/he will be highly motivated, with superior communication, excellent organizational skills and to be able to work both independently and in a team environment. This is a “roll up your sleeves”, hands-on position.

• Oversee the preparation and management of the R&D project plans, budgets, and long-term planning.
• Strong influencer on the company-wide-strategy.
• Identify potential research projects to expand the Company’s product pipeline.
• Participate in regulatory strategy development, providing scientific input and support for the compilation of regulatory submissions required for clinical trial applications.
• Support the management of the Company’s intellectual property IP portfolio and additional applications.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and staff development and recruitment; ensure the R&D team has appropriate skills, capabilities, and resources to meet current and future business needs. Build the function to support ongoing organizational needs.
• Ensure all research and development activities related to product development are completed in accordance with quality and regulatory expectations to support quality and relevant global regulatory submissions.
• Negotiate and review technical/quality agreements to ensure that outsourced activities are conducted in compliance with quality requirements.
• Support R&D team members in the management of Contract Research Organizations (CMOs), contractors, consultants, suppliers, and all outsourced contract research activities. Ensure the selection of appropriate collaborators and oversee their subsequent technical management to ensure competence and data integrity through all stages of development.
• Present R&D information and research plans/updates to the Executive Leadership Team, the Board of Directors, and businesspartners, as required.

• PhD in Life Sciences, preferably biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related scientific discipline.

• A minimum of 5 -7 years of R&D and/or project management experience in the pharmaceutical industry. With a strong track record of success in developing and managing R&D strategic, operating plans and budgets, as well as building and recruiting a team.
• Leadership and managerial experience, leading cross-functional projects, planning and delivering results within project deadlines. Participation in portfolio decision- making in a smaller biotech organization is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and assess research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships across global internal and external participants, preferably with experience in a matrix environment.
• An outstanding problem solver who is solution-oriented and has a genuine interest in helping.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills – a true team player.

• Knowledge of Cannabinoids research will be an advantage.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an innovative core team in a growing company, that believes in making a difference and committed to novel discovery of cannabinoid acid molecules for research and drug development purposes. The R&D manager will be responsible for supporting and managing drug development projects carried out to meet EPM’s business objectives.

She/he will be highly motivated, with superior communication, excellent organizational skills and to be able to work both independently and in a team environment.

• Ensure all research and development activities related to product development are completed in accordance with quality and regulatory expectations to support quality and relevant global regulatory submissions.
• Facilitate in different scientific discussions with strategic partners.
• Negotiate and review technical/quality agreements to ensure that outsourced activities are conducted in compliance with quality requirements.
• Supports technical interactions with external contract research organisations to partner with EPM on R&D activities.
• Create new procedures and documentation to facilitate effective work.
• Identify potential research projects to expand the Company’s product pipeline.

• PhD in Life Sciences, preferably biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related scientific discipline.

• A minimum of 4 years of R&D and/or project management experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience with synthetic and/or botanical products.
• Experience in at least one area of drug development, with awareness of quality and regulatory expectations in pharmaceutical development.
• A scientific approach to data with a high level of statistics with excellent attention to detail.
• Can lead both internal and external meetings effectively.
• Strong IT skills and ability to use all key packages (Word, Powerpoint and Excel) to produce, present and analyse data and produce compelling materials for internal and external use.
• An outstanding problem solver who is solution-oriented and has a genuine interest in helping.
• Good communications skills with an ability to adapt style and content to address the particular needs of the situation or audience.
• A true team player.
• Professional-level English in both speaking and writing.

• Knowledge of Cannabinoids research will be an advantage.
• Experience contributing to regulatory submissions.