Associate Scientist: Polymer Science

What you will own at Wildtype

• Work with the team, design and develop next-generation biomaterial scaffolds with varies of polymer processing technologies
• Heavily engaged in biomaterial scaffolds industrial scaling-up
• Analyze experimental samples by relevant biomaterial analytical methods, such as rheology, mechanical assays, differential scanning calorimetry, light and fluorescence microscopy
• Carry out experiments with the minimal guidance, and maintain accurate notes, present data 
• Acquire new skills and integrate new technologies

What we’ll teach you

• How to incorporate fundamental materials science and rheology into tissue engineering 
• Apply new or classic polymer processing technologies for next-generation sustainable food production
• Scale up tissue engineering scaffolds to unprecedented volumes
• New techniques and functional assays such as novel hybrid scaffold fabrication, sustainable food production, biomaterial rheology, and scaffolds industrial scale-up
• How to continue growing as a scientist with outside-the-box thinking, creative experimental design, execution, and analysis

What you bring to Wildtype

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Food Science, Fiber Science, Biomedical Engineering or a related field; OR M.S. in the above fields plus 3+ years experience from relevant industries (such as food, pharmaceutical, biochemical, medical device, fiber or textile);
• Knowledge or prior-experiences in ONE of the following fields, more is a plus:
  • Experience in industrial fiber spinning or fibrous structure/material formation
  • Experience in scaling-up polymer processing technology
  • Experience in biobased materials, especially proteins and carbohydrates
  • Knowledge and/or lab experiences in rheology for polymers (solution or melts)
  • Knowledge in polymer viscoelasticity and structure-process-property relationship

• Comfortable at taking experimental notes, keeping laboratory records and writing technical reports
• Capable of overcoming technical obstacles/difficulties with a positive attitude; enjoys scientific and engineering challenges
• A hunger for learning, growth, and being part of a fast-moving, dynamic team
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organization skills
• Able to learn quickly and excel in a fast-paced work environment
• Self-starter, willing to take initiative to accomplish key tasks

Impact Plan

• Within 1 month you’ll have carried out your first experiment on your own, with the support of your scientific mentor. We’ll rely on you to prepare biomaterial scaffolds with the established methods at Wildtype without supervision. You will have performed a few advanced analyses (including taste tests) on the samples you have produced. You will have defined your professional development goals for the next twelve months.
• Within 3 months you will have mastered basic scaffold preparation techniques within Wildtype’s unique context. You will be independently carrying out routine activities such as sample preparation and analyses without supervision. You will have started to contribute to the re-design of next-gen scaffolds.
• Within 6 months your biomaterial development and processing skills will have developed to the point where you can independently train a new hire on Wildtype’s entire scaffold production process. Your work will be organized effectively to achieve tasks on time at a high level of quality. You will have executed your first independently designed experiment with controls, and presented your findings at a company-wide research meeting.   
• Within 12 months you’ll be managing and carrying out multiple experiments simultaneously. You will be able to articulate how your work directly impacts the company’s milestones. You will routinely take the initiative to research topics independently and volunteer new ideas or approaches.