Principal Scientist - Polymer Science

At Modern Meadow (MM) we are harnessing the power of design, biology and material science to produce high performing, sustainable, and scalable bio-based products. At the intersection of biotechnology and material science, we design solutions for the way we want the world to perform. We are pioneers of bio fabrication, building with biology. Because we have introduced a more effective, more responsible, and readily available supply, we are shifting demand away from extractive practices and toward a sustainable bioeconomy.

MM is seeking a Principal Scientist with over 10 years of experience in leading biomaterials-based innovation, projects, and scientific teams to successfully deliver products into commercial/industrial space.

Reporting to the VP, of BioMaterials Science R&D, the Principal Scientist will act as the resident expert in polymers science, formulation design, coating and impregnation technology, and composite design and be the specialist with the ability to characterize and understand structure-material property relationships to guide the various projects being worked on by the several technical teams comprising all the Project Leads (PLs), PIs and RAs, to deliver on the various projects in the Innovation to Market Portfolio for the BioMaterials Business Unit.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participate in Cross-functional meetings of sanctioned/approved projects to ensure alignment of project work with approved product briefs.
• Participate in the R&D meetings to guide the development of experimental plans for ensuring alignment with MM goals review ongoing research output.
• Work with the Sustainability/LCA Lead, to ensure that the sustainability Milestones are integrated into the planned technical work and milestones are being met in a timely manner.
  
• Act as a Technical Mentor for Team Leaders, PIs, and RAs.
• Facilitate ideation and technical excellence to solve commercial problems using existing technology toolkits and by expanding it.
• Keep up-to-date with current academic and patent literature in the fields of biomaterials, textiles coating and chemistry and share learnings with relevant teams.
• Work with the Technical and Commercial Team(s) and Leadership to identify long-term opportunities critical for the success of the Technology Platform(s) in the commercial space.
• Work with the Team Leaders, PIs, and RAs to identify the correct workstreams and milestones for achieving organization goals and objectives. Assist the RAs and PIs in planning and executing of the experimental plans to complete the workstreams in a timely manner.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge:

• A PhD. In Chemistry, Materials Science with over 12+ years of industry experience
• Ability to work on site at our Nutley, NJ HQ
• Previous experience leading technical work required with previous managerial experience preferred
• Demonstrated agility to respond to changing priorities of business and organization
• Demonstrated ability to think outside the box and apply knowledge in an interdisciplinary manner
• Demonstrated ability to work with commercial and business team to deliver products into the commercial industrial space
• Ability to deconstruct new problems by using first principles to develop research programs for new materials that cater to the needs to be addressed
• Knowledge of proteins a plus

What we offer:

We believe in investing in our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth a Modern Meadow and are pleased to offer comprehensive benefits for the total health of our organization including:

• Competitive compensation that includes equity
• Retirement planning (401k Matching)
• Flexible paid time off
  
• Winter Break (Company observed reset and recharge, final week of the year)
• Commuter Benefits
  
• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental, vision, life, and disability
• Bi-monthly learning blocks to reinvest in your development utilizing LinkedIn Learning or other job specific programs
  
• Identity Theft and Legal services (LifeLock and LegalShield)
  
• Family services that include fertility benefits and equal paid parental leave
• Collaborative, transparent, and inclusive culture with monthly engagement activities and programs
  

Details of these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

Modern Meadow is an equal opportunity employer.

In accordance with anti-discrimination law, we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.