Job Summary
Taproot Medical Technologies is seeking a scientist or engineer with expertise in biointerfacial research and biomaterials development, who will play a key creative role in the design, translation, and commercialization of innovative clinically targeted products.
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
- Conduct hands-on, self-driven R&D crucial to the development and commercialization of medical devices based on zwitterionic polymers, involving hydrogels, elastomers, silicones, antifouling coatings, and similar technologies
- The development of impactful new medical devices and materials is highly interdisciplinary – this role will emphasize biomolecular, biointerfacial, and physiological expertise and analysis (the ‘bio’ side) over polymer science, materials chemistry and physical testing (the ‘materials’ side)
- Design, execute and interpret thoughtful experiments to advance product development goals, focusing on protein, cell, and physiological interactions with engineered materials through in vitro models. This will include protein binding/biofouling assays, cell-based studies (proliferation, toxicity, surface attachment, fluorescence imaging, flow-based models), and design and interpretation of preclinical biocompatibility studies
- Manage collaborative work and timelines involving CMOs, CROs, academic collaborators and industry partners
- Assist with fabrication, handling and testing of samples and prototypes in clean environments
- Contribute to quality-focused activities including development and review of cGMP protocols
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 designing, conducting and interpreting studies of biointerfaces, including protein and cell interactions with polymers and other engineered materials
- Strong scientific understanding of 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, particularly in protein, cell, and physiological system interactions with engineered materials, biocompatibility testing, and creative development of in vitro test systems
- Experience in development and analysis of any of the following is highly desirable: implantable polymers, medical silicones, catheters, hydrogel formulations, contact lenses, medical adhesives, in vitro diagnostics, zwitterionic materials, hydrophilic coatings
- High proficiency in techniques and equipment typical to biointerfacial research, such as fluorescent microscopy, surface spectroscopy, microplate assays, and cell-based assays
- Experience with bench- to pilot-scale processes in biomaterials and medical device development and manufacturing, such as pre-treatment of surfaces, polymeric biomaterial and coating fabrication, sterilization and 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