Staff Formulation Scientist

DexCom • San Diego, CA

17h

About The Position

As a key member of the material science group within Dexcom’s research and development organization, the Staff formulation scientist is responsible for developing and validating novel membrane material formulation designs to address critical needs in cutting edge biosensor health products. The individual is expected to have a clear understanding of the technical and business challenges associated with biomaterial development in a regulated environment. Emphasizing expertise in polymer solution, emulsion, and colloidal science, and material formulation engineering, the scientist will work cross functionally to drive the creation of design requirements, down select formulation chemistry, develop and validate design/process to final specification, identify and mitigate risks, interface with external partners and collaborate with internal stake holders to drive projects to completion.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, polymer material science and engineering for product safety and form, fit, and function - preferably in Class III medical applications.
• Expertise in material formulation engineering, membrane separation engineering, colloid and interface science, rheology, and various coating process technologies.
• Experience with polymer emulsions, dispersions and other water-based coating chemistries.
• Experience with biochemical and biophysical techniques, including protein binding/enzyme kinetics and assay development
• Experience with protein immobilization, entrapment, or bioconjugation is highly desirable
• Experience with biosensor electrochemistry and enzyme engineering is highly desirable.
• Experience with experimental design and planning, assay development, statistics, DOE methodologies, data analysis methods and software (JMP, Python, or Matlab preferred).
• Very strong analytical and experimental skills for small molecules, polymers, additives, solution physics, and condensed states (HPLC, LC/MS, Viscometer/Rheometer, Mechanical, DLS, Zeta potential, SEM/EDX, XRF, confocal microscopy / interferometry, FT-IR, NMR, diffusion, and electrochemical characterization).
• Experience with thin-film bulk and surface characterization (e.g. morphology, thickness, composition).
• Typically requires a Bachelors degree in a technical discipline, and a minimum of 8-12 years related experience or a Masters degree and 5-7 years equivalent industry experience of a PhD and 2-4 years of experience.

Nice To Haves

• Nice to have experience in medical device or other regulated industry.
• Nice to have experience with formulation process development and validation.

Responsibilities

• Drive material science excellence as a technical leader in polymer solution science and engineering, focusing on polymer colloids, emulsions, and/or polymer dispersions for various biosensor membrane modalities.
• Develop polymer binder-based membrane formulation designs that meet desired system level performance, safety, process, scale, and cost requirements.
• Develop rapid feedback strategies for ensuring stability and immobilization of critical ingredients in membrane designs.
• Plan and execute hands-on laboratory experiments, identify critical variables and design trade-offs, down-select and optimize critical formulation variables for form-fit-function on targeted applications while tracking and managing risk.
• Initiate and develop characterization tools and test methods to generate insights into structure-property-performance relationships and hence accelerate development cycle time.
• Plan and execute validation protocols and reports related to formulation preparation process, formulation deposition process pot-life and shelf-life.
• Document experimental details and analysis, author technical reports, present results to a wide audience of stakeholders, including progress reports, design reviews and phase exits.
• Identify, procure, and qualify critical raw materials and manage suppliers to support formulation development and commercialization.
• Perform comprehensive literature and patent reviews to identify new opportunities and materials for next-generation biosensor health products.
• Contribute to new IP generation efforts and with evaluation of technical, clinical, and commercial risks.
• Understand and adhere to all relevant laboratory safety protocols, chemical hygiene, and dispose of chemical waste according to company and local EH&S regulations.

Benefits

• A front row seat to life changing CGM technology.
• Learn about our brave #dexcomwarriors community .
• A full and comprehensive benefits program.
• Growth opportunities on a global scale.
• Access to career development through in-house learning programs and/or qualified tuition reimbursement.
• An exciting and innovative, industry-leading organization committed to our employees, customers, and the communities we serve.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees