Research and Development Director
Employer: Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited
Position: Research and Development Director
Number of vacancies: One (1)
Department: Research and Development
Reports to: Managing Director
Duty station: Kampala, Uganda
Contract: Fixed-term
Employment type: Full-time
Experience: At least 10 years in medical-device research and development
Qualification: Relevant master’s degree; PhD preferred
Salary: Not disclosed
Deadline: Friday, 18 September 2026 at 5:00 PM EAT
Jobspace Uganda vacancy summary
Microhaem Scientifics is seeking an experienced Research and Development Director to lead the development, improvement and lifecycle management of its medical devices and diagnostic technologies. The successful candidate will oversee product development from early concept through verification, regulatory compliance, manufacturing transfer and commercialization.
This senior technical position is intended for an accomplished medical-device, biomedical or systems-engineering professional with extensive experience working in highly regulated product-development environments. The Director will collaborate with Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Manufacturing, Clinical and Operations teams while serving as the technical subject-matter expert for Microhaem Scientifics’ product portfolio.
Who should apply?
This opportunity may suit candidates who:
- Hold a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
- Have at least 10 years of medical-device research and development experience.
- Have worked with point-of-care tests or rapid diagnostic technologies.
- Understand regulated medical-device development and quality-management requirements.
- Can lead complex technical programmes from concept to commercialization.
- Are comfortable working across hardware, software, manufacturing and regulatory functions.
- Can provide hands-on technical leadership within a fast-growing or startup environment.
Purpose of the role
The Research and Development Director will provide technical and strategic leadership for the development and lifecycle management of medical devices. The role will guide product architecture, design controls, systems integration, risk management, verification and validation, manufacturing readiness and future product innovation.
Key responsibilities
Product development and technical leadership
- Lead medical-device development programmes from initial concept through commercialization.
- Translate user needs into clear product requirements and executable development plans.
- Define project milestones, timelines, technical priorities and risk-mitigation strategies.
- Guide system architecture, technical integration and major product-design decisions.
- Manage product-improvement and lifecycle-development activities for existing products.
- Ensure design and development activities comply with applicable regulatory and quality standards.
- Lead verification and validation planning and execution.
- Direct technical troubleshooting, root-cause investigations and resolution of field issues.
- Support design transfer, manufacturing readiness and supplier-management activities.
- Provide technical input for regulatory submissions and interactions with health authorities.
Quality and regulatory collaboration
- Support the preparation of technical documentation required for regulatory submissions.
- Work with Regulatory Affairs and Quality teams on design files, risk management and change control.
- Ensure development activities align with ISO 13485 and ISO 14971 requirements.
- Guide applicable activities associated with IEC 60601, IEC 62304 and human-factors engineering.
- Support compliance with World Health Organization requirements and other stringent regulatory authorities.
Research, commercialization and communication
- Support the introduction of new technologies and commercially scalable products.
- Provide technical information, presentations and application data to marketing and sales teams.
- Communicate research findings through technical papers and scientific publications.
- Represent the company at relevant academic and industry conferences or symposia.
Leadership and team development
- Lead, mentor and develop research and development team members.
- Build a high-performance technical culture based on accountability, scientific rigour and execution.
- Coordinate internal technical resources and external development partners.
- Support the recruitment and development of future research and development personnel.
- Promote effective collaboration across R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Clinical and Operations teams.
Qualifications and experience
- Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
- A PhD in a relevant field is preferred.
- At least 10 years of experience in medical-device research and development.
- Strong experience with point-of-care tests, including rapid diagnostic tests.
- Previous experience within a medical-device startup or rapidly growing technology company is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 13485, ISO 14971 and other medical-device regulatory requirements.
- Familiarity with IEC 60601, IEC 62304, WHO requirements and other stringent regulatory standards.
Preferred competencies
- Strong technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
- Systems-level thinking and advanced technical problem-solving skills.
- Ability to analyse complex information, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
- Strong scientific writing, presentation and communication skills.
- Hands-on product research, design, testing and development experience.
- Strong organization, prioritization and project-execution abilities.
- Ability to work independently and remain effective in a rapidly changing environment.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, personal accountability and a results-oriented work ethic.
Computer and systems proficiency
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and technical-presentation tools.
- Experience using electronic quality-management systems.
- Experience with requirements-management and risk-management systems.
- Familiarity with statistical tools and modern research and development collaboration platforms.
Documents required
- An application letter.
- A detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae.
- Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates.
- Other relevant supporting documents.
- A daytime telephone contact.
- Contact details for two referees, including the current employer where applicable.
Application procedure
Combine the application letter, CV, certified academic documents and all other supporting documents into one PDF file.
Email the single PDF to:
Use Research and Development Director as the email subject.
Address the application to:
The Director, Human Resource
Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited
Plot 16 A–C, Martyrs Way, Ntinda
P.O. Box 73496
Kampala, Uganda
Deadline: Friday, 18 September 2026 at 5:00 PM EAT.
Important: Physical applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Official vacancy: View the Research and Development Director advert
Official careers page: Microhaem Scientifics careers
Important application checks
- Combine every required document into one PDF attachment.
- Use the exact position title as the email subject.
- Include two referees and your daytime telephone contact.
- Ensure the certified academic documents are legible.
- Check that the PDF opens correctly before sending the email.
- Submit before 5:00 PM EAT on the closing date.
- Do not deliver a physical application.
Date posted: 27 August 2026
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