Senior Surface Chemistry Manager

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

A healthier future. Its what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. Thats what makes us Roche.

At Roche, we are working to make next-generation sequencing simple and accessible enough for routine use. By accelerating clinical research, streamlining workflows, and expanding assay menus, we are broadening access to genomic data and lowering barriers to adoption. From robust sample isolation and preparation tools to novel sequencing technology and advanced bioinformatics, we are developing differentiated, highly integrated end-to-end solutions for next-generation sequencing, resulting in a sample in, result out workflow.

The Senior Surface Chemistry Manager (Sr. Manager) role offers an exciting opportunity to lead the innovation and commercialization of critical surface modifications of injection molded plastic and inorganic substrates, with a primary focus on enabling advanced applications within next-generation sequencing (NGS) consumables. As a key technical leader within Roche, the Sr. Manager will spearhead efforts in the synthetic manipulation of material surfaces. This includes meticulous control over (bio)chemical modification, surface energy and the minimization of non-specific adsorption phenomena, all crucial for the performance and reliability of sophisticated consumables. This position encompasses direct responsibility for leading cutting-edge surface analysis and characterization initiatives, the strategic development and validation of robust quality control (QC) methodologies, and providing expert technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams navigating complex, interconnected systems. The successful candidate will play a central role in driving the successful development, scale-up, and market introduction of novel, high-performance consumables, directly contributing to Roche's continued leadership in the diagnostics space.

• You will provide expert technical leadership and strategic direction for the design, development, and implementation of surface modification strategies tailored for injection molded plastic and inorganic materials intended for complex consumable applications.

• You will drive the synthetic manipulation of material surfaces at a molecular level to precisely engineer surface energy characteristics and effectively mitigate non-specific adsorption of critical biomolecules, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing background noise in downstream applications.

• You will lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of comprehensive surface modification strategies that align with product requirements, manufacturing feasibility, and commercialization timelines for intricate consumables.

• You will oversee and actively participate in advanced surface analysis and characterization using a diverse range of techniques (e.g., XPS, ToF-SIMS, AFM, contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry) to thoroughly understand surface composition, morphology, and chemical properties, and to establish critical structure-property relationships.

• You will spearhead the development, validation, and implementation of robust and scalable QC methods for surface-modified products, ensuring consistent material quality, adherence to specifications, and long-term product stability throughout the product lifecycle.

• You will serve as a subject matter expert in surface chemistry, providing deep technical insights and guidance to problem-solving and troubleshooting efforts within complex, interconnected, and multidisciplinary system environments, effectively identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions related to surface performance.

• You will collaborate closely with research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to seamlessly integrate surface modification processes into the overall consumable development and manufacturing workflows.

• You will maintain a thorough understanding of the latest advancements in surface chemistry, materials science, and relevant analytical techniques, proactively identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement in existing and future product development initiatives.

• You will author and review technical documentation, including development reports, SOPs, and QC specifications, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.

• You will present technical findings and project updates to internal and external stakeholders, effectively communicating complex concepts and progress against key milestones.

• You will mentor and guide junior scientists and engineers within the team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.

Who You Are:

(Required)

• You have a PhD degree in Chemistry, Material Science, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or (closely related field) with a strong focus on surface science or materials modification.

• You have 9 or more years of professional experience in a commercial environment, with a significant portion of that experience focused on the development and commercialization of surface-modified products; with at least 5 years within the life sciences or diagnostics industries.

• You have demonstrated experience in the synthetic manipulation of injection molded plastic and inorganic surfaces, with a proven track record of successful bioconjugation, modification of surface energy and controlling non-specific adsorption properties for demanding applications.

• You have significant experience in the commercialization of complex consumables, including a deep understanding of the product development lifecycle, scale-up considerations, and regulatory requirements for diagnostic or medical device products.

• You have a comprehensive background in a wide range of surface analysis and characterization techniques, coupled with the ability to interpret complex data sets and translate findings into actionable insights for product development and quality control.

• You have demonstrated expertise in the development, validation, and implementation of robust QC methods specifically for surface-modified materials, ensuring reliable and reproducible product quality.

Preferred:

• You have direct experience with next-generation sequencing application and/or platform development, including a strong understanding of the critical surface requirements for optimal performance of NGS consumables.

• You have demonstrated problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities, with a strong aptitude for systematically analyzing issues within complex, interconnected, and multidisciplinary systems, and developing effective, data-driven solutions.

• You have strong interpersonal skills: Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and influencing skills: has built and cultivated important relationships both inside an organization and externally. Has proven abilities to influence internal partners and stakeholders, thought leaders, national advocacy organizations, national standard-setting bodies, and other relevant external parties. Seamlessly collaborates with colleagues/other parts of the organization.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of Santa Clara, CA is $158,000 - $294,000. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.

This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Lets build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

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