We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate with interest and expertise in polysaccharide characterization to join our team. The successful candidate will focus on the characterization and improvement of our polysaccharide biomaterials while working closely with other technical functions and being responsive to customer feedback. The Research Associate will employ advanced analytical techniques such as GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, TGA, and other spectroscopic and chromatographic methods to characterize our biomaterials as well as a variety of other methods such as ELISA. The role requires a strong interest and past experience in material sciences, chemistry, or a related field, with an emphasis on polymer characterization and biomaterials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct physicochemical characterization of polysaccharides using GC-MS, GPC, HPLC-MS, NMR, FTIR, TGA, DSC, XRD, and SEM.
• Conduct purity characterization of polysaccharides preparations using ELISA, colorimetric and other methods.
• Develop and optimize analytical methodologies for the structural and compositional analysis of chitosan.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to assess purity, molecular weight distribution, and functional group modifications.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support material development, process optimization, and application research.
• Prepare technical reports, research papers, and presentations based on findings.
• Maintain and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation to ensure optimal performance.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in polysaccharide characterization and related analytical techniques.

Qualifications & Experience:

• B.S. in Material Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a related field with 3+ years of experience. Salary and job title will be commensurate with experience.
• Prior hands-on experience with GC/HPLC-MS, NMR (¹H, ¹³C), FTIR, and other material characterization techniques.
• Strong interest in polysaccharides, biopolymers, and natural polymer characterization.
• Experience with data analysis software for spectroscopy and chromatography.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or in a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and research dissemination.
• Relentless drive to deliver the best product to customers.
• Ability to wear many hats and thrive in a startup environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Past experience in characterizing biologically derived polysaccharides.
• Prior hands on experience developing HPLC/GC – MS and NMR methods.

Benefits & Opportunities:

• Competitive salary and benefits package including equity.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Opportunities for career growth, collaboration, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Engagement in innovative research projects with real-world applications.
• Collaborate with a driven team of domain experts to develop a biomaterial with unrivaled biomedical potential in a well-funded company.

If you are passionate about polysaccharide characterization and biomaterials and are eager to contribute to cutting-edge research on chitosan, we encourage you to apply!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $54,000.00 – $67,767.01 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Wilmington, DE 19803 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Wilmington, DE 19803: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person