About the position
We are an innovative medical device company behind a novel intraocular lens called Light Adjustable Lens™ - the only intraocular lens that allows lens power adjustments within the eye after cataract surgery. The Light Adjustable Lens™ has disrupted and transformed cataract surgery by offering patients a truly customized visual experience. We are advancing product development and scaling up manufacturing and commercial operations. We are looking for an innovative and hands-on Vice President of Chemistry to lead and grow our materials science function. As the Vice President of Chemistry, you will be a key member of the senior management team and play a critical leadership role in guiding the scientific and technical strategy and execution for materials development, characterization, process development, validation, and transfer to manufacturing. You will lead a multidisciplinary chemistry and materials science team focused on advancing product performance through polymer chemistry and materials science to ensure product performance including stability and biocompatibility, and manufacturing process robustness.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Chemistry function with a balance of executive-level strategic oversight and targeted hands-on involvement in key technical challenges R&D and manufacturing.
- Build and manage a high-performance, collaborative team with expertise in polymer science, analytical chemistry, and materials engineering.
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to overall product strategy, innovation roadmap, and long-term growth.
- Establish departmental goals, budgets, and KPIs.
- Drive the design and development of advanced biocompatible polymeric materials for intraocular lenses with optimized optical and mechanical properties.
- Investigate structure-property relationships to enhance product performance, biocompatibility, and long-term stability.
- Lead formulation chemistry efforts to support product refinement and innovation.
- Ensure supply chain continuity of LAL materials and lead materials qualification activities.
- Lead process development and optimization activities and oversee transfer to manufacturing.
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Quality Engineering teams to scale and validate robust, reproducible production processes.
- Identify and implement high throughput formulation processing aids to enhance the yield and scale of the LAL.
- Provide technical oversight on design of experiments, root cause analysis, and troubleshooting of complex materials and process challenges.
- Ensure robust characterization and evaluation of raw and processed materials and finished intraocular lenses with a focus on optical and mechanical performance, biocompatibility, and stability (ISO 10993, ISO 11979).
- Partner with Quality Assurance for risk management and design control activities.
- Interface with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs to support filings and audits.
- Keep up to date with relevant industry guidance. Ensure compliance with ISO/GMP and corporate quality systems.
- Collaborate frequently and cross-functionally with all functions involved in the product development, manufacturing, and compliance including R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory teams to align technical execution with business objectives.
- Manage relationships and collaborations with external chemistry and materials partners.
Requirements
- Proven track record in soft materials innovation and productization from a bench top to scaled process.
- Deep knowledge of synthetic polymer chemistry including photo-reactive and UV curable systems, soft materials characterization techniques and data analytics tools for implantable devices.
- Experience with technology transfer, scale-up, and GMP manufacturing.
- Strong understanding of medical device standards, including ISO 10993, ISO 11979 and ISO 14971.
- Effective analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to apply creative solutions to challenges.
- Experience with development of IP strategy and IP portfolio growth.
- Strategic thinking and excellent communication skills.
Nice-to-haves
- Proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering commercial-ready medical devices (highly preferred).
