Associate Scientist, Biomaterials

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The job details are as follows:

Who We Are

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs.
 

United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
 

The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option.

Who You Are

The mission of the Organ Manufacturing group (OMG) within United Therapeutics is to develop novel technology focusing on creating 3D printed, bioengineered lung scaffolds with the key biological functions that are ready for transplantation. The Associate Scientist, Biomaterials will develop and optimize processes to wash and surface modify 3D printed lung scaffolds. This role will contribute to the ongoing efforts of efficient post-processing of 3D printed scaffolds making them suitable for cellularization and physiological functions.

• Optimize and perform peptide/protein conjugation studies on 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds
• Develop and optimize analytical assays for quantification of peptides/proteins conjugated on 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds
• Develop and optimize analytical assays for peptide/protein quantification to assess the QC metrics
• Assist with post-processing workflow (primarily surface modification) for 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds
• Develop and perform assays to study peptide/protein stability at multiple storage and sampling conditions
• Identify strategies to improve the peptide/protein conjugation efficiency on 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds
• Develop and evaluate robust approaches to enhance cell interactions with novel bio-inks
• Assist with basic project management, including development of a project plan and schedule
• Generate comprehensive protocols for testing/analyzing the materials during development
• Provide support in fluidic system optimization and improvement
• Generate design assurance and comprehensive report documentation for testing and characterization
• Collaborate and work closely with biomedical and mechanical engineering teams 
• Provide expertise regarding surface modification, cross linking, and coatings, particularly with regards to differential material interfaces and luminal surfaces that will ultimately contact cells
• Serve as point of contact for internal cross-functional R&D teams, as well as external vendors, and consultants
• Work collaboratively and independently to conduct (and supervise, if necessary) lab work and prototype performance testing, and interpret data and results to provide guidance on bio-ink design iterations
• Exercise judgement to provide recommendations and set new directions for the project based on data and test results based on program objectives and goals
• Maintain a deep understanding of current and emerging technology in the biomaterials, polymer chemistry, and bio-ink space in order to contribute to bio-ink development efforts

Minimum Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in an engineering R&D environment with a Master's Degree in chemistry, materials, surface science, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, coatings, drug delivery (could include co-op/intern experience)
• Knowledge of fundamentals in organic chemistry
• Basic understanding of chromatographic methods
• Proven record of success (products and/or publications) in polymer chemistry and surface functionalization with polymers or monolayers
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Experience in aseptic technique and mammalian cell culture

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an engineering R&D environment with a PhD in chemistry, materials, surface science, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, coatings, drug delivery (could include co-op/intern experience)
• Experience working with peptides
• Experience working with analytical systems: rheometer and Instron
• Experience in 3D printing hydrogel

Location

This position will be on site, full-time in Manchester, New Hampshire.

At United Therapeutics, our mission and vision are one. We use our enthusiasm, creativity, and persistence to innovate for the unmet medical needs of our patients and to benefit our other stakeholders. We are bold and unconventional. We have fun, we do good.

Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities

United Therapeutics  Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.