Head of Research and Development

Cambridge
3 days ago
Create job alert

We’re partnering with a market-leader in the Ophthalmology sector, who are looking to recruit an experienced Head of R&D (Research & Development)!

The successful candidate will lead R&D strategy, manage a multidisciplinary team, and work closely with key internal functions to ensure successful development and launch of safe, effective, and regulatory-compliant products across the UK, Ireland and US.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity, working remotely with some travel when required.

What’s on offer?

  • Excellent Salary & Benefits – A highly negotiable, market-competitive starting salary plus benefits!

  • Job Stability – Thrive in one of the industry’s most resilient and future-proof markets.

  • Entrepreneurial Spirit – Enjoy the agility and visibility of an ambitious organisation where you can make a real difference.

    Ideal Requirements for the Head of Research and Development

  • Extensive experienced in R&D leadership, with ideally 10 years’ working within a regulated healthcare setting.

  • An advanced degree in either life sciences, engineering or a related field (ideally, PhD qualified)

  • Strong knowledge of global regulatory requirements across multiple product categories.

  • Various backgrounds will be considered, including Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Medical Devices or OTC.

    Role Responsibilities

  • Drive the company’s innovation strategy and shape the future product pipeline – Define the vision for new eyecare, device, cosmetic, and supplement offerings, guiding what the business introduces to the market.

  • Own the full product development lifecycle through a modern Stage & Gate framework – Lead projects from concept to commercial launch, managing formulation, design, testing, and validation.

  • Develop and inspire a high-performing, cross-functional R&D team – Lead scientists, engineers, and project managers, fostering a collaborative, motivated, and forward-thinking environment.

  • Collaborate with senior leadership and global experts – Partner with Quality, Regulatory, Medical, Marketing, and Commercial teams, and engage academic and industry partners to drive innovation at pace.

    Recruitment Process

  • 2 – 3 stage interview process (interviews ASAP!)

    Excited to learn more? Click apply or reach out to the MedTech recruitment team for full details!

    Evolve is a leading recruitment and outsourcing organisation, operating within the Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Medical Device and Life Science sectors.

    Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success as a company, We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Design Engineer - Medical Devices

Policy and Regulatory Manager

Service Administrator, Medical Devices

Head of Laboratory

Product Manager - Medical Devices

Head of Engineering

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Medical Technology Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Medical Technology Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in medical technology, it can feel like the toolkit is endlessly long: imaging systems, data analysis software, regulatory platforms, testing frameworks, prototyping tools, CAD, quality management systems, signal processing libraries and more. Scroll job boards or LinkedIn, and it’s easy to think you need to know every tool under the sun just to secure an interview. Here’s the honest truth most hiring managers won’t explicitly tell you: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you understand the underlying principles and can apply the right tool in the right context to solve real problems. Tools matter — absolutely — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, clinical awareness, engineering rigour and the ability to deliver safe, reliable solutions. So how many medical technology tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the answer is far fewer than you think. This article explains what employers really want, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look confident, competent and end-game ready.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Medical Technology Job Applications (UK Guide)

Medical technology (MedTech) is one of the most dynamic and high-impact sectors in the UK — spanning medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, AI-assisted systems, wearables, imaging, robotics and clinical software. At the same time, hiring managers are exceptionally selective because MedTech roles demand technical excellence, regulated safety awareness, clinical context and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, engineering, quality & regulatory, clinical validation, product management or software development for medical systems, hiring managers don’t read every word of your CV. They scan it quickly — often deciding within the first 10–20 seconds whether to continue reading. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in medical technology applications — and how you can make your CV, portfolio and cover letter stand out in the UK market.

The Skills Gap in Medical Technology Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Medical technology — also known as medtech — is transforming healthcare. Innovations in diagnostics, imaging, wearable sensors, robotics, telehealth, digital therapeutics and advanced prosthetics are improving outcomes and saving lives. As the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) modernises and a thriving life sciences sector expands, demand for medtech professionals is growing rapidly. Yet employers across the UK consistently report a frustrating problem: many graduates are not ready for real medtech jobs. Despite strong academic credentials, candidates often lack the practical, interdisciplinary skills needed to contribute effectively from day one. This is not a question of effort or intelligence. It is a widening skills gap between university education and the applied demands of medical technology roles. This article explores that gap in depth — what universities are teaching well, where programmes fall short, why the gap persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build thriving careers in medical technology.