Research and Development Director

About Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited

Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited (MHS) is Uganda's first indigenous IVD manufacturer and the first 4th Generation IVD Manufacturing Plant in Africa. Established in 2012 and based at Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way, Ntinda, Kampala, MHS develops and manufactures high-quality Point-of-Care rapid diagnostics and molecular diagnostics for high-burden diseases including HIV, Malaria and Sickle Cell. The company's vision is to protect and improve quality of life through innovation, manufacture and supply of high-quality medical products, and its mission is to make patients' lives better through latest technology and equitable access. MHS operates under stringent regulatory standards with NDA-Uganda approval, GMP approval and ISO 13485 certification (WHO-PQ and CE-Marking ongoing), and upholds values of customer focus, quality through compliance, integrity, and teamwork. For an R&D leader, MHS offers a fast-moving, stringently regulated startup environment with direct impact on product platform expansion, lifecycle management and commercialization readiness.

Job Details

Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited is seeking a technical research and design leader capable of driving product development execution within a fast-moving stringently regulated startup environment. The Research and Development Director will lead the development and lifecycle management of MHS medical devices and serve as the device subject matter expert (SME) across new product development, systems integration, design controls, risk management, and verification & validation activities.

• Location: Kampala - Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way, Ntinda, Kampala, Uganda
• Duty Station: Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way Ntinda | Kampala, Uganda | Kampala
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Industry: Healthcare
• Base Salary: Not Disclosed
• Work Hours: 8
• Reporting Line: Works closely with Regulatory Affairs, Quality Management Systems, Manufacturing, Clinical, and Operations teams; supports health authority interactions and commercialization readiness
• Application Method: Email application as a single PDF file to recruitment@microhaem.co.ug with Job Title in subject line. Applications must include detailed up-to-date CV, certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates, any other supporting documents, daytime telephone contacts, and addresses of two referees (including current employer where applicable) addressed to The Director Human Resource, Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited, Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way Ntinda, P.O Box 73496, Kampala, Uganda. Physical applications will not be accepted.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

A. Product Development & Technical Leadership

• Lead end-to-end product development initiatives from concept through commercialization in accordance with WHO standards, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, and IEC standards
• Translate user needs into product requirements and executable development plans with defined milestones, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies
• Implement sustainable research and design and product improvement activities for existing commercial-stage products
• Drive system-level design architecture, integration strategy, and R&D decision-making
• Ensure systematic and compliant execution of SRA-compliant design controls
• Support development and execution of verification & validation (V&V) activities
• Lead technical troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and field issue resolution
• Support manufacturing supplier management and design transfer
• Support regulatory submissions and health authority interactions

B. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support technical documentation development for regulatory submissions and regulatory interactions
• Collaborate closely with Regulatory Affairs and Quality on design and development file (DDF) development, risk management, Verification & Validation, and change control
• Lead R&D activities associated with IEC 60601, IEC 62304, ISO 14971, and Human Factors research
• Provide support to marketing and sales team, support introduction of new technologies with development of presentations, sales tools, formulations, and applications data
• Communicate results to the scientific community via published papers and present research at academic/industry symposia as external representative of MHS

C. Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor R&D team
• Help establish a high-performance R&D culture centered around accountability, technical rigor, and execution
• Coordinate internal R&D resources and external development partners
• Support recruiting and development of future R&D talent
• Collaborate cross-functionally across R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Clinical, and Operations

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

A. Requirements

• Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field; PhD is preferred
• 10+ years of experience in medical device research and design; startup medical device company experience strongly preferred
• Strong experience with point-of-care tests including rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs)
• Understanding of ISO 13485 and stringent medical device regulations including WHO and other Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRAs)

B. Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership skills and ability to collaborate effectively with team members
• Familiarity with medical device R&D concepts, test methods, equipment and applicable national and international standards relating to testing (ISO 13485, WHO and other SRAs)
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret extensive variety of technical instructions in scientific form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
• Ability to comprehend and communicate ideas and issues effectively to other team members and management; ability to write and record data and information as required
• Strong systems-level technical expertise
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Hands-on R&D capability
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Comfortable operating in rapidly evolving environment
• Ability to independently drive technical decisions
• High-accountability builder with hands-on, driven work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset

C. Computer Software / Programs

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and technical presentation tools
• Experience with eQMS and requirements/risk management tools
• Familiarity with statistical tools and modern R&D collaboration platforms
• Experience with technical documentation for design controls and risk management

Job Summary

• Job Category: Management, Science & Engineering, Business Operations, Healthcare, Research (Data, Monitoring, and Research)
• Job Type: Full-time
• Deadline of this Job: Friday, September 18 2026
• Duty Station: Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way Ntinda | Kampala, Uganda | Kampala
• Posted: 2026-08-25
• No of Jobs: 1