Director, R&D - Assay Development

Hims & Hers is the leading health and wellness platform, on a mission to help the world feel great through the power of better health. We are redefining healthcare by putting the customer first and delivering access to care that is affordable, accessible, and personal, from diagnosis to treatment to delivery. No two people are the same, so we provide access to personalized care designed for results. By normalizing health & wellness challenges and innovating on their solutions, we’re making better health outcomes easier to achieve. 

Hims & Hers is a public company, traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “HIMS.” To learn more about the brand and offerings, you can visit hims.com/about http://hims.com/about and hims.com/how-it-works http://hims.com/how-it-works . For information on the company’s outstanding benefits, culture, and its talent-first flexible/remote work approach, see below and visit www.hims.com/careers-professionals http://www.hims.com/careers-professionals.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Hims & Hers is seeking a Director of Research & Development to lead assay development and innovation efforts for our laboratory and diagnostics portfolio. This leader will be responsible for the development, optimization, validation, and implementation of diagnostic assays supporting both traditional and at home testing programs.

This is a highly hands on leadership role. As an early R&D hire in New Jersey, the Director will build and lead the R&D function while also directly executing bench work, data analysis, and validation activities. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in assay development within a CAP/CLIA laboratory environment, strong statistical capabilities, and expertise working with high throughput clinical chemistry and hematology instrumentation.

This is an on-site laboratory role based in Central New Jersey.

YOU WILL:

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

• Lead development, optimization, and validation of new and existing diagnostic assays across the Hims & Hers testing portfolio

• Design and execute verification and validation studies in alignment with CAP and CLIA requirements

• Analyze and interpret experimental data, including statistical evaluation of method performance, precision, accuracy, linearity, and stability

• Develop validation protocols, reports, SOPs, and technical documentation

• Partner cross functionally to transition assays from R&D into clinical operations

INSTRUMENTATION AND ASSAY DEVELOPMENT

• Lead assay development activities utilizing Roche Cobas Pro and Sysmex platforms initially with planned expansion into other technologies, including molecular, genetic, and infectious disease

• Support integration and performance evaluation of automated chemistry and hematology systems

• Develop and validate workflows involving capillary blood collected via microtainers and devices such as Tasso and YourBio Health

• Evaluate performance characteristics of capillary versus venous specimens where applicable, and investigate novel methods to expand stability of at-home collected samples

TEAM BUILDING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Hire, mentor, and develop a high performing R&D team, including scientists and research associates

• Establish R&D priorities, project timelines, and resource allocation plans

• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, operational excellence, and continuous improvement

• Serve as technical leader and subject matter expert across the diagnostics organization

HANDS ON EXECUTION

• Perform bench laboratory work as needed, particularly during early team build out

• Conduct statistical analysis and data review directly

• Troubleshoot assays, instrumentation, and workflow challenges

REGULATORY AND QUALITY COLLABORATION

• Partner with Regulatory Affairs and Quality to ensure compliance with CAP, CLIA, and applicable state and federal requirements

• Support preparation for inspections and audits

• Maintain awareness of evolving regulatory requirements impacting laboratory developed tests and at home diagnostics

YOU HAVE:

• PhD in Clinical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field

• Minimum 5 years of experience in diagnostic assay development within a clinical laboratory environment

• Demonstrated experience leading R&D initiatives and managing complex projects

• Experience with Roche Cobas Pro and Sysmex instrumentation

• Strong statistical knowledge, including method validation, experimental design, and data analysis

• Experience developing assays using blood specimens

• Proven ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a hands on lab environment

PREFERRED

• Experience working with at-home diagnostic testing programs

• Experience validating assays using capillary blood collected via microtainers and devices such as Tasso or YourBio Health

• Experience in CAP and CLIA regulated laboratories

• Familiarity with FDA regulatory landscape for diagnostics and laboratory developed tests

• Experience building and scaling R&D teams

OUR BENEFITS (THERE ARE MORE BUT HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS):

• Competitive salary & equity compensation for full-time roles

• Unlimited PTO, company holidays, and quarterly mental health days

• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental & vision, and parental leave

• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

• 401k benefits with employer matching contribution

• Offsite team retreats

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects diverse perspectives and prioritizes ethics, wellness, and a strong sense of belonging. If you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply—even if you're not sure if your background or experience is a perfect match.

Hims considers all qualified applicants for employment, including applicants with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act, and any similar state or local fair chance laws.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Hims & Hers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@forhims.com and describe the needed accommodation. Your privacy is important to us, and any information you share will only be used for the legitimate purpose of considering your request for accommodation. Hims & Hers gives consideration to all qualified applicants without regard to any protected status, including disability. Please do not send resumes to this email address.

To learn more about how we collect, use, retain, and disclose Personal Information, please visit our Global Candidate Privacy Statement https://www.hims.com/global-candidate-privacy-statement.