R&d Scientific Expert, Polymer Development

Merz Aesthetics is an international company in the field of aesthetic medicine. Our broad product portfolio is synonymous with top quality in each of their categories and is highly regarded by healthcare professionals worldwide. As Merz Aesthetics, we are part of the Merz Group with our EMEA headquarters located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Our global head office is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Every day, more than 2,500 employees in 26 countries are committed to restoring and maintaining the skin's beauty. Would you like to become part of our success story? Then join Merz Aesthetics

**About the position**

As R&D Scientific Expert (M/F/d), you support the development of dermal fillers and medical devices and the outsourcing of chemical characterization.

The position is initially limited to 12 months.

**The following responsibilities are awaiting you**:

- You plan and supervise chemical characterization (Extractables-and-Leachables studies) of medical devices according to ISO10993 as well as support and review toxicological risk assessments.
- You manage external cooperation partners.
- You develop and optimize existing and new dermal filler medical products.
- You develop synthesis processes for biopolymers, formulation development and optimization, technical process optimization, and scale-up, as well as transfer to technical operations/production sites.
- You create development protocols and reports.
- You manufacture and develop processes for hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid and new polymers at a laboratory scale.
- You develop, verify, validate, and perform analytical methods for dermal fillers (rheology, microscopy, particle analysis).
- You plan and conduct stability studies, sample analysis, and study monitoring in LIMS, as well as assist in creating test plans and stability reports.
- You meticulously document according to the principles of design control.
- You create documents according to medical device regulations (EU MDR, ISO13485, ISO14971).
- You coordinate R&D projects and participate in international interdisciplinary project teams.
- You provide lateral leadership to technical staff, as well as evaluate new technologies.
- You research and independently develop innovative and novel product ideas for patent creation and engage in activities to maintain existing patents.

**What we expect from you**:

- You have a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Technology.
- You have 1+ year of experience in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry.
- You have first experience in polymer chemistry, particularly in the development of hydrogels or semisolid chemical/pharmaceutical products.
- You ideally have first knowledge in analytical chemistry and conducting Extractables-and-Leachables studies according to ISO10993.
- You are proficient in polymer chemistry, preparative chemistry, and instrumental analysis.
- You are experienced in the manufacturing of chemical products and formulations.
- You developed first skills in the production and characterization of hydrogels or other semisolid formulations.
- You are knowledgeable in general analytical methods of polymer and organic chemistry.
- You work independently, structured, and take responsibility for your tasks.
- You are skilled in using MS Office.
- You are a team player with strong oral and written communication skills.
- You are fluent in English, both written and oral, and have conversational skills in German.

**What you can expect from us**:
**Putting people first**: You can expect to find an open work culture with flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths at Merz Aesthetics. You will collaborate with colleagues from all around the globe. And if life takes an unexpected turn and you need help or advice, then you can always rely on our different internal and external support systems.

**Family and work**: Our employees should be able to reconcile their family and work commitments. That’s why you’ll find, for example, company day care centers at our locations. In the EMEA region, we have been awarded the “Top Employer” and “Great Place to Work” certifications for our outstanding HR policies and work culture.

**Work-life harmony**: Our time is precious; our daily routines individual. To help you reconcile work and leisure time with their conflicting demands, we have adopted contemporary flexible working time models. We offer you flex-working time and mobile working. Our employees also benefit from generous arrangements for annual leave.

**Ongoing training**: Your personal and professional development is the key to success for us. To foster this, we conduct regular development discussions and facilitate a wide range of management and specialist training courses, soft skills courses, e-learning courses, language courses and coaching sessions.