Principal Scientist - Tissue Engineering

Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch: Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence care, and infusion care. With around 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and services in almost 100 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention and protection of at-risk skin, to improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec’s revenues in 2023 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). 

Every day, our products improve the lives of millions of people around the world. We’re hugely proud of this, which is why we’re transforming our business to reach millions more.

Join us on our journey to #ForeverCaring as a Principal Scientist - Tissue Engineering, and you’ll drive progress that really means something.

The Principal Scientist – biointerfaces and regenerative engineering will be a member of ConvaTec’s Biointerfaces and Regenerative Engineering group based in the greater Boston area. They will be responsible for leading a portfolio of R&D activities to examine the interaction between our medical device components and the biological tissues they contact. 

The principal scientist will apply subject matter expertise in biology, cell culture, tissue engineering, tissue mechanics and polymer characterization to parse the relevant biological and materials phenomena and develop advanced experimental methods to probe them. The scope of the role includes managing large projects, overseeing data collection and coaching lower level professionals.  In addition, the principal scientist will be key contributor to the biological research capability roadmap at CTEC-Boston, advising on the methods, capabilities, and equipment that we will build over the next 1-5 years. Although this position is seated within T&I it requires cross-functional communication with BU teams to ensure execution of BU projects.  Success will be measured through project completion leading to reports and other internal and external communications.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Lead on Biointerfaces Programs:

• Develop the technical approach to research programs related to biointerfaces and tissue engineering.

• Design and conduct the hands-on research for projects in these programs, including preparing samples, executing experiments, troubleshooting, recording all data, and conducting data analysis.

• Utilize expertise and available literature in biology, cell culture and materials science, as well as scientific creativity to identify new techniques for ConvaTec.

• Specify, install and troubleshoot key equipment.

• Write, edit, and/or approve technical documentation

• Communicate results externally in scientific papers, posters, and other materials.

Cross-Functional Program Development:

• Manage research programs related to biointerfaces which consist of multiple technical projects.  Design research approach and coordinate deliverables and timelines with business needs.

• Communicate approach and results to a non-expert audience in the form of technical presentations & reports.

• Collaborate with project management, regulatory, clinical, etc. teams to stay aligned on key goals, deliverables, resource needs, timelines, etc.

• Coach, review and delegate work to lower level professionals.

Authority:

The Principal Scientist will be highly independent, developing their own research programs and communicating cross-fuctionally on (a) goal setting or clarification, (b) technical approach brainstorming, (c) delivery and interpretation of scientific results, (d) team progress updates, etc.

With regard to the Quality Management System, the Principal Scientist can approve technical reports as the “Technical Reviewer” as well as standard operating procedures without manager approval.

Team:

No direct reports, but the principal scientist will coach and delegate work to lower level professionals in the group

Principal Contacts

Internal

• New Product Development & Life Cycle Management Teams as teammates on project work

• Scientific & Technical Labs to execute testing, as required.

• Regulatory Affairs to collaborate on requirements as well as gain early understanding of potential constraints or implications of technology choices.

• Project Management to estimate resource requirements, identify key milestones, manage project governance, and develop timelines.

• Applied Research to leverage other scientific and engineering capabilities outside of Adhesives.

External

• Collaborators such as universities, start-ups, or other companies who have relevant technologies and capabilities to bring to bear.

• Suppliers of laboratory materials & equipment

• Laboratory Testing Services to contract necessary testing.

Travel Requirements

Position may involve travel up to 10% of the time. Most trips will include overnight travel

Working Conditions

Laboratory, with Hybrid working potential depending on experimental requirements.

Qualifications/Education:

• PhD in biology, bioengineering, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field where the PhD research topic focused on biomaterials.

Skills & Experience:

4-8 years of experience in R&D post-graduation, including the following:

Technical:

• Human and mammalian cell culture (BSL1 & 2)

• Regenerative medicine/tissue engineering (e.g. 3D culture, organoid development, or tissue models).

• Imaging techniques such as direct and indirect fluorescence, phase contrast, brightfield, SEM

• Biochemical assays (e.g. Elisa, DNA, total protein)

• Advanced molecular methods in biology and imaging are a plus

• Materials characterization techniques such as FTIR, DSC, or mechanical testing are a plus

• Technical writing and presentation, demonstrated in the form of research reports, academic thesis, peer-reviewed publications, conference posters or presentations or similar

Leadership:

• Demonstrated experience leading a technical program that includes unique individual projects

• Experience managing competing business priorities

• Work effectively in global, cross-functional teams

• A strong and reliable safety mindset