Senior Material Scientist

Company Overview

Rayner is a leading developer and manufacturer of ophthalmic implants and pharmaceuticals with global headquarters in Worthing, UK. We specialize in the design and manufacture of intraocular lenses (IOLs) and related products, such as OVDs and pharmaceuticals used in cataract and refractive surgery. Since the manufacture of the world’s first IOL by Rayner in 1949, we have continuously pioneered IOL design with a goal of improving vision and restoring sight worldwide. The first ever FDA- approved IOL was a Rayner lens. Today, over 26 million IOLs are implanted around the world every year, and it is globally the most performed elective surgical procedure. Our mission is simple: to deliver excellent visual outcomes for patients and surgeons.

In June 2021 Rayner was acquired by CVC, an international Private Equity business with substantial funds under management. CVC has already shown itself to be an excellent partner to Rayner and has demonstrated its commitment to grow the business internationally. With CVC as our partner, we have the resources to make further investments in ophthalmology. At the beginning of 2022, Rayner announced the signing of an agreement to acquire OMIDRIA and the teams from Omeros Corporation to significantly further the growth of Rayner in the USA.

Since Rayner was founded in 1910, we have established a reputation for innovation and product excellence. Rayner has over 600 employees in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Poland, US, Canada, Malaysia and India. We will continue on our exciting path of fast growth globally.

Purpose of the Role / Key Activities:

This role gives you the opportunity to work in a leading global medical device company, using the latest equipment and tools to research & develop innovative products helping restore sight to millions of people all over the world. You will participate in the research, design, development, manufacturing and testing of implantable medical devices and pharmaceutical products, working in multidisciplinary project teams from across the company as well as collaborating externally with surgeons, inventors, research groups and universities.

Core ‘Senior Material Scientist’ activities and accountabilities

• Provide management and oversight of both project and routine materials and toxicology testing programs
• Generate and update/maintain all Rayner Biological Evaluation Reports (BER)
• Respond to regulatory questions in a professional and timely manner
• Critically assess company products, processes and systems in order to improve quality and efficiency
• Regularly interact with customers (internal and external) in order to better understand their needs (both known and unknown) with a view to improving current products, driving innovation and nurturing collaborations which lead to future new product development opportunities
• Generate and develop innovative new research ideas (including next generation products) as agreed with line manager
• Apply materials knowledge to develop solutions to complex technical issues and challenges across new product development, product improvement & manufacturing projects
• Devise and test hypotheses; use appropriate analytical techniques to identify and quantify toxins
• Perform risk assessments to determine the likelihood of harmful effects resulting from new/modified products/processes
• Develop new experimental tests as required
• Collaborate and share expertise and research findings with other scientific and technical staff
• Help drive a culture of business-wide innovation

Additional ‘Material Scientist’ activities as required

• Represent the R&D Materials function on multi-disciplinary teams working on research, NPD, process improvement, regulatory and clinical projects, providing information, guidance and testing support on materials and toxicology aspects
• Apply materials knowledge to develop solutions to basic technical issues and challenges across new product development, product improvement & manufacturing projects
• Deliver and report on work packages within the scope of established Design Control procedures
• Design, plan and document controlled experiments, trials and analysis, including collecting, analysing and interpreting chemical and technical data from a range of prototype, production, clinical or medical samples
• Manufacture and test prototype medical devices for research and NPD projects
• Maintain a high standard of professional and technical knowledge by attending educational training/workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies

Values:

Ambition: We play to win.

Focus: We put patients first.

Integrity: We keep our promises.

Openness: We are passionate about new ideas.

Respect: We support each other.

Key Competencies:

• Mindset and personality - confident and positive, open and approachable manner, strong analytical and solution-oriented skills, highly driven, self-motivated
• Time organisation – work efficiently on multiple concurrent work packages, setting achievable deadlines for required work packages and delivering on time
• Adaptability – especially to rapidly changing priorities
• Honesty – recognising and learning from mistakes; including understanding when poor results necessitate a change of direction
• Improving systems – identify and implement opportunities to optimize workplace efficiency and minimize delivery timelines whilst maintaining high quality deliverables
• Communication & presentation skills – collaborative, clear, concise and tailored to target audience (at all levels within the business)
• Confidence – work independently whilst also recognising when it is appropriate to escalate risks, issues and questions to senior management for support and guidance
• Attention to detail – carefully check plans, protocols, results and conclusions to ensure accuracy before circulating to others for review
• Critical thinking skills – ask ‘why’ and constructively challenge, not accepting status quo if unsure about the reasons behind a project or work package
• Risk – managing and understanding risk whilst maintaining product quality alongside patient and workplace safety
• Chair productive and focused meetings (i.e. starting on time, with preset agendas and post-meeting minutes and actions)
• Health & Safety – knowledge of best practice and ongoing assessment (both personally and for colleagues)

Qualifications:

Essential

• Higher degree or masters in Biological or Chemical Sciences (BSc)
• Minimum 1 years practical experience writing / approving Biological and Toxicological Risk Assessments
• Good knowledge of ISO 10993 and other relevant Medical Device biocompatibility standards
• Broad expertise in analytical chemistry methods (including FTIR, GCMS, HPLC, SEM)
• Competence in key Microsoft Office packages (including Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Project)

Desired

• PhD in Biological or Chemical sciences
• Practical experience line-managing Material Scientists / Lab Technicians in an industry (non-academic) environment
• Practical experience liaising either directly with national regulatory bodies or in-house Regulatory Affairs teams to provide materials and biocompatibility test data to facilitate product approvals
• Working knowledge of other applicable regulations and standards (including MDR, ISO 13485, ISO 11979, FDA QSR 21, CFR 820)