Research & Development [R&D] Manager and Lead Chemist
2025-10-03T08:17:22+00:00
EarthEnable
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https://www.greatugandajobs.com/jobs/
FULL_TIME
Mbarara
Mbarara
00256
Uganda
Construction
Science & Engineering
2025-10-24T17:00:00+00:00
Uganda
8
The R&D Manager will ensure experiments are designed, piloted, and analyzed effectively, while translating learnings into actionable insights for senior management and operational teams. This role requires hands-on understanding of our materials and processes, coupled with strong people management, planning, and organizational skills.
The responsibilities of this role will include, but not be limited to:
1. Strategic R&D Leadership
- Develop and drive the Uganda R&D strategy aligned with EarthEnable and Global R&D’s goals.
- Identify new areas for research and innovation (e.g., eco-friendly coatings, paints, natural additives, faster curing methods) based on market trends, client feedback, and operational challenges.
- Prioritize projects, allocate resources, and set ambitious, science-backed objectives and timelines.
2. Chemical & Materials Innovation
- Design and supervise laboratory experiments in coatings, plasters, and flooring technologies.
- Innovate with catalysts, oils, and binders to optimize durability, drying time, and environmental impact.
- Stay at the forefront of chemical engineering and technological advances and bring best practices into EarthEnable’s lab and field pilots.
3. Team Management & Development
- Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary R&D team (chemists, engineers, officers, interns).
- Foster a culture of creativity, experimentation, and rigorous documentation.
- Support professional development and create pathways for team members to build technical expertise.
4. Experimentation & Piloting Oversight
- Ensure experiments are scientifically rigorous and operationally feasible.
- Oversee pilots across districts, ensuring accurate execution, monitoring, and documentation.
- Translate lab learnings into practical, field-ready solutions.
5. Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
- Provide timely responses and appropriate investigation for district challenges in the field.
- Partner with district and construction teams to integrate new R&D outputs.
- Develop SOPs and training materials to ensure consistent application of new solutions.
- Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership to shape company strategy.
- Collaborate closely with R&D teams globally to ensure knowledge transfer across countries is up to date on a weekly basis.
6. Data Analysis & Reporting
- Track metrics to evaluate R&D’s impact on product performance, durability, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure proper data collection, analysis, and interpretation of R&D results.
- Maintain an organized repository of experimental results – both successes and failures – for institutional learning.
- Required qualifications & Key capabilities.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field such as Civil Engineering (advanced degree strongly preferred).
- Expertise in chemical formulations.
- Proven track record in leading R&D or product development projects from concept to implementation.
- Ability to innovate scientifically and translate lab results into field-ready applications.
- Excellent leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing technical teams.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to rigorously design, document, and analyze experiments, and then translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Comfortable working in both the lab and the field, including hands-on experimentation with earth-based materials.
- Flexible and adaptable; thrives in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, entrepreneurial environment.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging diverse audiences – from scientists to field staff to senior management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and data management tools.
Why Join Us
- Lead groundbreaking research in eco-friendly construction materials.
- Shape the future of sustainable building in East Africa and beyond.
- Work in a collaborative, creative, and mission-driven team where science directly improves lives.
1. Strategic R&D Leadership Develop and drive the Uganda R&D strategy aligned with EarthEnable and Global R&D’s goals. Identify new areas for research and innovation (e.g., eco-friendly coatings, paints, natural additives, faster curing methods) based on market trends, client feedback, and operational challenges. Prioritize projects, allocate resources, and set ambitious, science-backed objectives and timelines. 2. Chemical & Materials Innovation Design and supervise laboratory experiments in coatings, plasters, and flooring technologies. Innovate with catalysts, oils, and binders to optimize durability, drying time, and environmental impact. Stay at the forefront of chemical engineering and technological advances and bring best practices into EarthEnable’s lab and field pilots. 3. Team Management & Development Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary R&D team (chemists, engineers, officers, interns). Foster a culture of creativity, experimentation, and rigorous documentation. Support professional development and create pathways for team members to build technical expertise. 4. Experimentation & Piloting Oversight Ensure experiments are scientifically rigorous and operationally feasible. Oversee pilots across districts, ensuring accurate execution, monitoring, and documentation. Translate lab learnings into practical, field-ready solutions. 5. Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing Provide timely responses and appropriate investigation for district challenges in the field. Partner with district and construction teams to integrate new R&D outputs. Develop SOPs and training materials to ensure consistent application of new solutions. Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership to shape company strategy. Collaborate closely with R&D teams globally to ensure knowledge transfer across countries is up to date on a weekly basis. 6. Data Analysis & Reporting Track metrics to evaluate R&D’s impact on product performance, durability, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Ensure proper data collection, analysis, and interpretation of R&D results. Maintain an organized repository of experimental results – both successes and failures – for institutional learning.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field such as Civil Engineering (advanced degree strongly preferred). Expertise in chemical formulations. Proven track record in leading R&D or product development projects from concept to implementation. Ability to innovate scientifically and translate lab results into field-ready applications. Excellent leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing technical teams. Strong attention to detail, with the ability to rigorously design, document, and analyze experiments, and then translate findings into actionable recommendations. Comfortable working in both the lab and the field, including hands-on experimentation with earth-based materials. Flexible and adaptable; thrives in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, entrepreneurial environment. Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging diverse audiences – from scientists to field staff to senior management. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and data management tools.
JOB-68df86924e715
Vacancy title:
Research & Development [R&D] Manager and Lead Chemist
[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Construction, Category: Science & Engineering]
Jobs at:
EarthEnable
Deadline of this Job:
Friday, October 24 2025
Duty Station:
Mbarara | Mbarara | Uganda
Summary
Date Posted: Friday, October 3 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
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JOB DETAILS:
The R&D Manager will ensure experiments are designed, piloted, and analyzed effectively, while translating learnings into actionable insights for senior management and operational teams. This role requires hands-on understanding of our materials and processes, coupled with strong people management, planning, and organizational skills.
The responsibilities of this role will include, but not be limited to:
1. Strategic R&D Leadership
- Develop and drive the Uganda R&D strategy aligned with EarthEnable and Global R&D’s goals.
- Identify new areas for research and innovation (e.g., eco-friendly coatings, paints, natural additives, faster curing methods) based on market trends, client feedback, and operational challenges.
- Prioritize projects, allocate resources, and set ambitious, science-backed objectives and timelines.
2. Chemical & Materials Innovation
- Design and supervise laboratory experiments in coatings, plasters, and flooring technologies.
- Innovate with catalysts, oils, and binders to optimize durability, drying time, and environmental impact.
- Stay at the forefront of chemical engineering and technological advances and bring best practices into EarthEnable’s lab and field pilots.
3. Team Management & Development
- Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary R&D team (chemists, engineers, officers, interns).
- Foster a culture of creativity, experimentation, and rigorous documentation.
- Support professional development and create pathways for team members to build technical expertise.
4. Experimentation & Piloting Oversight
- Ensure experiments are scientifically rigorous and operationally feasible.
- Oversee pilots across districts, ensuring accurate execution, monitoring, and documentation.
- Translate lab learnings into practical, field-ready solutions.
5. Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
- Provide timely responses and appropriate investigation for district challenges in the field.
- Partner with district and construction teams to integrate new R&D outputs.
- Develop SOPs and training materials to ensure consistent application of new solutions.
- Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership to shape company strategy.
- Collaborate closely with R&D teams globally to ensure knowledge transfer across countries is up to date on a weekly basis.
6. Data Analysis & Reporting
- Track metrics to evaluate R&D’s impact on product performance, durability, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure proper data collection, analysis, and interpretation of R&D results.
- Maintain an organized repository of experimental results – both successes and failures – for institutional learning.
- Required qualifications & Key capabilities.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field such as Civil Engineering (advanced degree strongly preferred).
- Expertise in chemical formulations.
- Proven track record in leading R&D or product development projects from concept to implementation.
- Ability to innovate scientifically and translate lab results into field-ready applications.
- Excellent leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing technical teams.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to rigorously design, document, and analyze experiments, and then translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Comfortable working in both the lab and the field, including hands-on experimentation with earth-based materials.
- Flexible and adaptable; thrives in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, entrepreneurial environment.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging diverse audiences – from scientists to field staff to senior management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and data management tools.
Why Join Us
- Lead groundbreaking research in eco-friendly construction materials.
- Shape the future of sustainable building in East Africa and beyond.
- Work in a collaborative, creative, and mission-driven team where science directly improves lives.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 60
Level of Education: bachelor degree
Job application procedure
Interested and qualified? Click here to apply
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