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Polymer Scientist/Engineer

Emeryville, CA

Slingshot Biosciences is a fast-growing life sciences company with a platform technology and paradigm-shifting mission to make precision-engineered cell mimics the gold standard for all cell-based assay controls. We are transforming cell-based applications with the most robust, scalable, and reproducible controls available, including TruCytes™ Biomarker controls, SpectraComp® compensation controls, ViaComp® cell health controls, and FlowCytes® instrument controls.  

Our TruCytes cell mimics precisely replicate real cells’ optical and biochemical properties - without the sourcing, quality, or cost challenges of traditional controls.  Trusted in cell-based applications across cell therapy, drug development, and diagnostics, they empower process and analytical development, quality control, potency assessments, multi-site validations, clinical research studies, and assay development and validation.  

Slingshot is seeking motivated, creative team members who think outside the box. We empower employees to own their work, contribute ideas quickly, and improve processes. Come join our cross-disciplinary and world-class team that is delivering game-changing solutions for cell-based applications!

Slingshot is seeking a polymer scientist/engineer to join our team in a full-time capacity. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, biology and instrumentation - offering a chance to shape the technical roadmap for products that will positively impact human health.

As a key contributor to our R&D efforts, you will lead technical strategy, design and conduct complex experiments, and translate experimental insights into meaningful innovations. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team, and ensure that our R&D milestones drive the company's overall mission forward.

This position is ideal for a self-motivated individual with a proactive, can-do attitude who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Join us at a critical stage of development as we push the boundaries of advanced polymer manufacturing. You will have the opportunity to shape a novel high-throughput platform, lead technical reviews, and influence key decisions with long-term impact on our technology roadmap.

Location: This is an on-site position based in Emeryville, California.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and develop new polymer chemistry and formulations for innovative synthetic cell products.
  • Ownership of technical projects, designing and conducting rigorous experiments 
  • Lead the technical strategy for scale-up, validation, and optimization of polymer manufacturing systems.
  • Lead technical reviews and contribute proof-of-concept data to inform critical strategic decision-making.
  • Perform bench-scale scale-up studies and validation studies, such as variability, reproducibility, and stability. 
  • Drive innovation by collaborating cross-functionally to optimize the interplay between polymer chemistry, hardware, and production processes.
  • Set up, operate, and troubleshoot laboratory hardware, fluidic components, and analytical instrumentation.
  • Work directly with pumps, sensors, and fluidic components to diagnose and resolve system issues.
  • Analyze complex scientific data sets to present actionable findings, assess experimental results and guide optimization decisions.
  • Actively contribute in cross-functional teams, generate/deliver technical reports, and train other technical staff.

Qualifications

  • PhD with 0-2 years of industry experience, or MS with ~5 years of relevant industry experience
  • Foundational expertise in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated success in independently identifying and resolving complex technical roadblocks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong grasp of polymer chemistry, engineering, instrumentation, and materials science
  • High level of comfort working and designing hands-on with physical scientific hardware, pumps, sensors, and fluidic components.
  • Capabilities in scientific data analysis and statistical evaluation of experimental results.
  • Prior experience with emulsions, colloidal stability, surfactants, hydrogels, microfluidics, or precision fluidic systems.
  • Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) principles to accelerate systems optimization preferred but not required.

Our salary ranges are calculated by role and level. Your position within that range will be determined by your job-related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant education, and training/certifications. In addition to those factors, we also examine internal equity as well as consider current market rate, and title may be assessed one level lower or higher accordingly. After you join the company your performance, contributions, and results along with business and organizational needs will affect your base salary. The base annual salary range for this position is between $110,000 - $135,000.

About Slingshot:  

Our north star is to make healthcare more accessible around the world. We are doing this by advancing cell biology to develop innovative solutions for human health.

At Slingshot, we value diversity and believe that a variety of backgrounds and experiences leads to more innovative ideas and a better understanding of our customers. Passion is at the core of our values, and employees are encouraged to pursue their passions in their work and contribute to the company's overall mission.

Slingshot Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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.

Legal authorization to work is required for all roles. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with applicable laws in the country where the position is based. For U.S.-based roles, this includes completion of required employment eligibility verification. For international roles, employment may be facilitated through an Employer of Record (EOR) in compliance with local regulations.

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