Senior Manager of Research and Development

About Pendulum Therapeutics

Pendulum is at the forefront of a global movement aimed at enhancing both physical and mental well-being by focusing on understanding and optimizing the human microbiome. Scientific evidence links the microbiome—the collection of bacterial communities in and on our bodies—to critical health areas including metabolism, diabetes, immune system function, cancer prevention, inflammatory bowel conditions, skin health, and overall wellness. Early in life, a diverse microbiome is developed which profoundly influences long-term health, though lifestyle factors and aging can diminish its effectiveness.

Recognizing the potential to positively impact health by addressing microbiome imbalances, Pendulum developed proprietary probiotic pipelines and a unique discovery platform for identifying key bacterial strains and their supportive prebiotics. The company also pioneered the first large-scale anaerobic manufacturing technology, enabling effective probiotic production.

Pendulum’s medical probiotics redefine the consumer probiotics market by delivering pharmaceutical-strength efficacy with natural product safety and accessibility. The company has experienced rapid growth, earning recognition in Forbes' "The Next Billion Dollar Startups" list.

Working here means being part of a collaborative community of scientists, engineers, physicians, marketers, and analysts united by the goal of improving human health, leveraging advances from various scientific disciplines including microbiology, genomics, pharmaceutical development, and nutrition, all in a transparent and communicative culture.

Position Summary

The Senior Manager of Research and Development will oversee and execute vital R&D projects and programs from initial development stages to market launch. Reporting to product leadership, this role involves leading project teams, collaborating cross-functionally, promoting innovation, providing data support to marketing, and ensuring regulatory and quality compliance for products. This person will possess substantial experience in biopharmaceutical research, a deep knowledge of microbiome science, and a proven track record in developing successful commercial products.

This position demands a hands-on scientific expert who is also an empowering leader, aligning individual and team efforts with broader clinical, commercial, and business objectives. The role thrives in a fast-moving and lean environment, requiring creativity, resourcefulness, and passion to grow with a dynamic young company.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute R&D strategies and project roadmaps aligned with company goals, managing internal and external collaborations.
• Keep abreast of advances and opportunities in probiotics, microbiome research, and biopharma sectors.
• Work closely with executive, clinical, analytics, and product teams to champion critical cross-functional initiatives.
• Provide expertise and contribute to multi-department initiatives including consumer and investigator studies and regulatory documentation.
• Coordinate with marketing and external partners on scientifically grounded projects.
• Communicate project updates and scientific findings effectively to leadership and stakeholders.
• Represent the company at industry and scientific conferences as appropriate.
• Lead the design, development, and optimization of microbiome-based products, formulations, and delivery mechanisms.
• Drive innovation by collaborating with academic, research, and industry partners.
• Guide the science team in developing a research strategy and scientific roadmap.
• Cultivate a culture of rigorous science and innovation, translating research discoveries into impactful applications.
• Set clear objectives, key performance indicators, and metrics for team members and projects.
• Provide mentorship, technical support, and foster teamwork among scientists.
• Manage multiple projects ensuring deadlines, budgets, and quality benchmarks are met.
• Improve data analysis processes and align research data practices with company-wide standards.
• Manage relationships with external collaborators such as CROs and manufacturing entities.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related discipline (alternatively M.S. with comparable experience).
• At least 5 to 7 years progressive R&D experience in biopharmaceutical or biotech industries, including 2 to 3 years in leadership roles.
• Demonstrated achievements including advanced responsibilities, promotions, publications, patents, or successful product launches.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams and managing bench-level scientists with external academic collaborations.
• Skill in generating and standardizing experimental datasets for use in AI, machine learning, and predictive modeling.
• Hands-on expertise in microbiome-related research or similar fields.
• Participation in developing regulated market-ready products from concept through commercialization.

Core Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities for designing complex experiments and interpreting extensive biological data sets.
• Deep knowledge of microbiome science, probiotic strains, formulation techniques, and development of biopharma products.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to nurture cross-functional collaborations and manage external scientific partnerships.

Preferred Attributes

• Authorship of scientific publications or patents related to microbiome research.
• Familiarity with cell culture techniques and in vitro assays essential to strain characterization and formulation optimization.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range between $190,000 and $210,000 annually.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Commuter benefits.
• Life insurance and short-term disability insurance.
• Company 401(k) matching program.
• Flexible time off policy.
• Equity participation opportunities.

Additional Information

The company uses artificial intelligence tools to aid in hiring by reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, and assessing candidate responses to identify potential inconsistencies or verification signals. These tools are supplementary to the recruitment team's judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by humans. Candidates can request more information on data processing practices.