Research and development

Research and development manager CV: example and template

This example is for heads of research and development departments at chemical, pharmaceutical, electronics and machinery companies, and for scientists and project leaders who want to run an R&D department.

The board wants to know which research projects you run, how large your team and budget are, where you get funding and how research results reach production. We show you how to describe this on your CV.

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Example CV: research and development manager

All the details in this example are fictional. Treat it as a model of layout and wording, and replace the content with your own experience.

Dr Joanna Mazurek

Research and development manager

Torun +48 123 456 789 joanna.mazurek@example.com

Professional profile

Research and development manager with a PhD in chemistry and 13 years in research, the last 5 running the R&D department of a manufacturer of industrial paints and coatings. I head a team of 16 chemists and technologists, a budget of PLN 7 million a year and a portfolio of 12 projects. We won 3 grants worth PLN 18 million in total, filed 5 patent applications and put 4 new coatings into production.

Work experience

Research and development manager

02.2021 - present

Manufacturer of industrial paints and coatings, Torun

  • Heading a team of 16 chemists and technologists, a budget of PLN 7 million a year.
  • A portfolio of 12 research projects with a review at every stage.
  • 3 grants worth PLN 18 million in total, applications, settlements and reports.
  • 5 patent applications and 4 new coatings put into production.
  • Documenting research costs for R&D tax relief with the finance department.

Senior research specialist

10.2011 - 01.2021

Research institute, Gliwice

  • Research projects with industrial partners.
  • Scientific publications and conference presentations.
  • Running an analytical laboratory.

Education

PhD, chemical sciences

2007 - 2011

Silesian University of Technology

Master's degree, chemistry

2002 - 2007

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun

Skills

  • Running a research and development department
  • Research project portfolio
  • Grants and research funding
  • Protecting intellectual property
  • Putting research results into production
  • R&D tax relief and cost documentation

Training

  • Industrial property protection training, 2022
  • Research funding applications training, 2021
  • Project management course, 2019

Languages

  • English: C1
  • German: B1

Additional information

  • Author of 21 scientific publications

I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR).

How to write a research and development manager CV

Professional summary

Write in which field you do research, your team, budget and project portfolio. Add results: grants, patents and implementations. The board is looking for someone who connects science with business and takes research through to a product.

Senior research specialist with a PhD in chemistry and 8 years of experience at a research institute. I run projects with industrial partners and an analytical laboratory. I am looking for work as a research and development manager.

Experience: duties and achievements

Describe the team, budget, projects, funding, protection of results and implementations. Show results in numbers. Add your work with universities and with the finance department on settlements.

Weaker: Running the department.

Better: Heading a team of 16 chemists and technologists, a budget of PLN 7 million a year.

Weaker: Grants.

Better: 3 grants worth PLN 18 million in total, applications, settlements and reports.

Weaker: Research results.

Better: 5 patent applications and 4 new coatings put into production.

Skills worth listing

List running a department, a project portfolio, grants, protecting results, implementations and R&D tax relief. In your soft skills show analytical thinking, leadership and persuading the board.

Professional skills

  • R&D department
  • Research projects
  • Grants
  • Patents
  • Implementations
  • R&D tax relief

Personal skills

  • Analytical thinking
  • Leadership
  • Persuasion
  • Patience
  • Communication

Training and publications

List your academic degree and training in industrial property protection and funding applications. Give the number of publications and patents briefly, without the full list.

How to become a research and development manager

Most people move from research project leader, senior specialist or academic researcher. On your CV show the projects you already lead.

Add your experience with funding and implementation. In a company what counts is whether research leads to a product.

Tailoring your CV to the job offer

A chemical company looks for new materials and implementations, a pharmaceutical company for research and registration, and an electronics manufacturer for prototypes and patents. Move to the top what the job ad is about.

The most common mistakes on a research and development manager CV

Questions and answers

What should a research and development manager put on a CV?

The field, team, budget, projects, grants, patents, implementations, academic degree and languages.

Is a PhD needed?

Not always, but in chemistry, pharmacy and biotechnology it is often required or welcome.

Which results are worth giving?

Grants won, patent applications, products put into production and the revenue from them.

Should I list publications?

Yes, but briefly: the number and one or two of the most important. You can attach the full list separately.

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See also

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