Senior Scientist, Materials Research

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).

At Convatec, we’re transforming our business for the better. Better products. Better ways of working. And better ways of delivering for our customers and each other. We’re aiming for nothing short of excellence.

Join us on our journey to #ForeverCaring as a Senior Scientist, Materials Research, and you’ll do the same.

Position Overview:

As part of Convatec’s Applied Research organization within the Materials Science team, the Senior Scientist, Materials Research is responsible for contributing to a portfolio of adhesives-focused projects that support the business needs. Through hands-on experimentation and advanced problem-solving skills, they will advance adhesives innovation by developing new formulations that improve patient outcomes as well as support cost reduction programs, quality improvements, and other projects requiring expertise in adhesives.

From a technical standpoint, the Senior Scientist, Materials Research will design and execute experimental plans to deliver project goals. They will apply subject matter expertise in chemistry and materials science to design a technical approach to each problem, analyze data, reflect on results, and re-direct experimentation as needed in collaboration with the project team. They will work cross-functionally with New Product Development, Marketing, Project Management Office, Manufacturing, Procurement, etc. to ensure good communication and efficient project execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design the technical approach to solving adhesives related business needs, including but not limited to early-stage innovation projects.

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

• Utilize expertise in chemistry and materials science, as well as scientific creativity, to design new protocols that support project goals and enhance adhesives capabilities at our Lexington, MA laboratory.

• Write, edit, and/or approve technical documentation that summarizes key findings

• Propose, and test, key mechanisms of action in areas of interest (e.g. erosion) 

• Coach and mentor lower level professionals

Authority (if applicable):

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

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

Skills & Experience:

Previous R&D experience (industrial or academic) that includes the following:

Technical:

• Experience with materials characterization techniques such as:

• Rheological testing or Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

• Mechanical testing (Instron/Zwick)

• Chemical characterization techniques such as FTIR and NMR.

• Thermal characterization techniques such as DSC and TGA

• Surface characterization techniques such as SEM, optical microscopy, and/or drop-shape analysis.

• Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and/or additional methods for polymer molecular weight determination

• Experience in applying structure-property relationship fundamentals to the design of polymeric biomedical materials

• Experience with materials formulation research (e.g. adhesives, coatings) is 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 and executing R&D projects

• Work effectively in global, cross-functional teams

• A strong and reliable safety mindset

Qualifications/Education:

• Degree in biomedical engineering, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field.

• PhD + 0-3 yrs post-graduate R&D experience (industrial or academic)

• MS + 3-6 yrs post-graduate R&D experience

• BS + 4-7 yrs post-graduate R&D experience

Dimensions:

Team

• No direct reports, but will be responsible for coaching and mentoring junior employees

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 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.

• Operations to understand potential constraints or implications of technology choices, as well as to implement new adhesives formulations and methods.

• Procurement to collaborate on suppliers and alternate raw materials

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

• Intellectual Property to understand patent landscapes and create new IP.

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.