Head of Assay Development

At Rapidemic, we're developing the next generation of molecular diagnostics, combining cutting-edge assay science with innovative hardware to deliver impactful diagnostic solutions. As a growing and ambitious company, we offer a collaborative, low-hierarchy environment where scientific excellence, innovation, and ownership go hand in hand. As our Head of Assay Development, you will provide the scientific and technical leadership required to transform assay concepts into robust, scalable, and regulatory-ready diagnostic products. You will own the assay development strategy across the entire product lifecycle—from early research and feasibility through verification, validation, commercialization, and beyond. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Head of Engineering and Head of QA/RA, you will play a critical role in shaping both our products and our technical direction. As a key member of the leadership team, you will ensure seamless integration between wetware and hardware development, help navigate technical risks and opportunities, and contribute to strategic decisions that drive product performance, differentiation, and future growth. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on scientific leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and wants to help build diagnostic technologies with the potential to improve healthcare worldwide.

You will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, quality professionals, and product experts who are passionate about solving complex healthcare challenges. At Rapidemic, we value scientific rigor, ownership, transparency, and collaboration. You will manage and work closely with Assay Development Scientists, the Engineering department, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs specialists and Manufacturing teams. Together, you'll create integrated diagnostic solutions that move seamlessly from concept to commercialization.

As Head of Assay Development, you will:

Lead Assay Strategy

• Define and own the assay development roadmap from concept through commercialization and post-market support.
• Translate clinical needs and product requirements into assay specifications and development plans.
• Provide scientific leadership and technical decision-making across projects.

Drive Development and Delivery

• Lead assay design, optimization, verification, and validation activities.
• Oversee robustness, stability, and shelf-life studies.
• Guide technology transfer and manufacturing scale-up activities.
• Identify technical risks early and implement mitigation plans.

Build Integrated Products

• Partner closely with Engineering to develop a fully integrated wetware-hardware diagnostic system.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing and scalability considerations from the earliest development stages.
• Collaborate across Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Product, and Clinical teams.

Lead and Grow the Team

• Build and develop a high-performing assay development function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence.
• Create clarity around priorities, ownership, and professional development.

Support Quality, Regulatory, and IP Activities

• Ensure compliance with applicable IVD regulations and quality standards.
• Contribute to technical documentation, risk management, and regulatory submissions.
• Monitor intellectual property developments and identify opportunities for new patent generation.

Contribute to Company Strategy

• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on assay feasibility, timelines, risks, and product differentiation.
• Support strategic roadmap and portfolio decisions.

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in molecular diagnostics assay development (e.g. PCR/qPCR, isothermal amplification, nucleic acid detection).
• Strong understanding of assay robustness, variability, and failure modes in real-world use.
• Experience with assay transfer to manufacturing and scale-up.
• Working knowledge of IVD regulatory and quality frameworks.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and operate at department-head level.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills, especially with hardware, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing teams.
• Comfortable balancing scientific depth with product-level decision making.

Execution & Judgment

• Excellent prioritization and risk-based decision-making skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving startup environment with evolving constraints.
• Clear communicator to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field (PhD strongly preferred).
• 8–12+ years of experience in assay development for molecular diagnostics or IVD products.
• Demonstrated experience bringing assays from early development through validation and commercialization.
• Prior leadership experience (e.g. team lead, group leader, director level).
• Experience in a regulated medical device or IVD environment is essential; startup or scale-up experience is a strong plus.

• A competitive and market-aligned compensation package, reflecting your experience, expertise, and leadership responsibilities.
• The opportunity to participate in Rapidemic's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), allowing you to share in the long-term success and value creation of the company.
• A unique opportunity to shape the scientific direction of a pioneering diagnostics company and play a key role in its growth journey.
• A collaborative, low-hierarchy environment where your ideas and contributions have a direct impact on products, strategy, and innovation.
• The chance to work on technologies with the potential to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes worldwide

What success looks like in this position: 

• Assay and hardware development progress as a tightly integrated system rather than parallel workstreams
• Technical risks are surfaced early and resolved collaboratively.
• Teams feel clear ownership while remaining flexible and aligned.
• The assay moves smoothly and timely from R&D into manufacturing and validation without late-stage redesigns.

Only apply if you can start before the 15th of October 2026. Please apply through the platform directly.