Job Summary
Taproot Medical Technologies is seeking a Senior Scientist with expertise in polymer science, biomaterials, and synthetic chemistry, who will play a key creative role in the conception and development of innovative clinically targeted products.
The candidate will carry out design, development, synthesis, fabrication, and testing of novel materials, coatings, hydrogels, formulations and medical devices. The candidate must have hands-on technical expertise in custom polymer and organic synthesis. The ideal candidate is a driven scientist or engineer, who is eager to work on a small interdisciplinary team in an exciting startup environment, and has a track record of effective problem solving and troubleshooting.
Who We Are
At Taproot Medical Technologies, we’re solving some of the most urgent challenges in healthcare with our groundbreaking polymer biomaterial platform. Join our growing team and bring truly innovative new medical devices to life. We are developing several patient-focused products including a state-of-the-art ventricular shunt, which promises to dramatically improve the lives of children with hydrocephalus, and a novel hydrogel-based cell culture platform designed to eliminate key process bottlenecks and promote more widespread adoption of curative cell-based therapies for cancer patients. Taproot is bringing these life-changing products and more to the clinic through thoughtful application of our uniquely biocompatible polymers, hydrogels, and device coatings.
Taproot headquarters is in the biotech hub of Bothell, just north of Seattle. Over the past few years, we have compiled a strong and growing patent portfolio, secured solid funding, and developed deep ties with world-renowned collaborators. Taproot offers competitive salaries, medical benefits, and significant equity participation. Taproot Medical Technologies is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Details
- Conceive and develop novel biomaterials and formulations for commercial and clinical translation, including polymeric hydrogels, elastomers, modified silicones, coatings / films, and polyzwitterions / polyampholytes
- Design, execute and interpret thoughtful experiments to advance product development goals, including synthesis, process development, and characterization of novel materials
- Conduct hands-on, self-driven R&D at the bench and pilot manufacturing scales (≥50% bench time), with a focus on polymer science, device coatings and soft material development
- Assist with fabrication of GxP samples in clean environment, and contribute to quality-focused activities including method qualification, process validation, and authoring and review of cGMP protocols and batch records
- Manage collaborative work and timelines involving CMOs, CROs, academic collaborators and industry partners
- Assist with writing and developing documentation for procedures, reports, presentations, manuscripts, patents, end-user instructional materials and other technical documents
Required qualifications
- Ph.D. in relevant scientific or engineering discipline (chemical engineering, bioengineering, polymer science, chemistry, materials science) or Master’s degree with 4+ years of industry experience or Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of industry experience
- Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience (academic or industry)
- Experience carrying out and interpreting physical and chemical analyses of small molecules, polymers, hydrogels, elastomers or medical device prototypes
- Strong understanding of scientific principles and concepts in organic chemistry, polymer science, and the interdisciplinary areas at the interface of materials and biology
- Strong analytical, writing, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Eager to work on a small team in a startup environment, with an appreciation of the R&D atmosphere at a small startup, including wearing many hats and being flexible with timelines and direction.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience (academic or industry) in multiple aspects of biomaterial-based product development, such as monomer and polymer synthesis, hydrogel design and production, hydrophilic surface coatings, medical polymer analysis, biocompatibility testing
- Experience with hydrophilic or zwitterionic polymers, hydrogels, composites or coatings is highly desirable
- Experience developing implantable polymers, medical silicones, catheters, hydrogel formulations, contact lenses, adhesives, or in vitro diagnostics
- High proficiency in analytical instrumentation and methods typical to this area, such as HPLC/SEC, mass spectroscopy, NMR, surface analysis (XPS, SEM, ellipsometry, etc.) and rheology
- Experience with bench to pilot scale processes in this area, such as viscous mixing, surface plasma treatment, extrusion, dip-coating, curing methods, solubilization/precipitation, lyophilization, sterilization, packaging
- Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) processes, including developing SOPs and Work Instructions, method qualification, process validation, batch records, and reporting
- Experience in technology transfer to CMO and CRO collaborators
- Experience in biocompatibility testing and risk assessment for medical devices (ISO 10993)
- Experience writing successful grant proposals, peer-reviewed literature and patent documents