Head of Assay Development
Rapidemic
| Company | Rapidemic |
| Category | Science & Research |
| Location | Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands |
| Remote | — |
| Employment | Not stated |
| Level | Director |
| Salary | Not stated by the employer |
| First seen | 2 Aug 2026 (the employer did not state a posting date) |
| Last verified | 9 Aug 2026 |
| Source | The employer's own careers page (company_site) |
Description
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.
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background-color: #f5f5f5;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.
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.
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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
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
Only apply if you can start before the 15th of October 2026. Please apply through the platform directly.