Scientist, Formulation

Location: Cambridge, MA (The Engine, MIT.nano, and Harvard’s Center for Nanoscale Systems)

Job Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

We are hiring a Scientist specializing in Formulation and Polymer Science to join our product development team alongside our CTO, Phil Hustad (PhD Cornell, 24 years at Dow and 3M, 150+ patents).

This is a hands-on lab role where you will bridge the gap between polymer design and hardware performance. You will own the development, optimization, and physical characterization of VioNano’s formulated products, transforming advanced polymers into functional, high-purity coatings. You will have real ownership over experimental direction and formulation strategies, translating novel chemical concepts into scalable, qualified materials that define our commercial path. If you want to do high-impact work in an environment where your engineering expertise is directly visible, this is that job.

What you’ll do

• Formulation Development: Design, prepare, and optimize multi-component liquid formulations utilizing novel polymeric materials, ensuring targeted solubility, stability, and processability.
• Polymer Physics & Thin-Film Characterization: Conduct rigorous evaluation of polymer solution properties and thin-film physics, utilizing characterization tools such as ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, rheometry, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
• Process Integration: Collaborate closely with cleanroom fabrication engineers to translate liquid formulations into robust spin-coating, baking, and development processes.
• Structure-Property Optimization: Analyze characterization data to establish clear correlations between polymer molecular architecture, formulation variables, and final lithographic/patterning performance.
• Strategic Input: Partner directly with the synthesis team and the CTO to define material specifications, manage IP documentation, and build repeatable laboratory workflows.

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Education: PhD (or MS with 3–5+ years of industrial experience) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Formulation Expertise: Deep hands-on experience in formulating complex fluids, polymer blends, functional coatings, or electronic materials.
• Physical Characterization: A strong track record of using advanced structural, surface, and thin-film characterization techniques (e.g., AFM, ellipsometry, contact angle, DLS, or rheology).
• Resourcefulness: Comfortable working at lab scale in an agile, early-stage environment where you can creatively design experiments with limited equipment to yield meaningful results.
• Communication: Strong scientific communication skills, with the ability to write clear technical reports and present findings to both internal and external stakeholders.

Strongly Preferred:

• Polymer Chemistry: Familiarity with polymer chemistry, synthesis methodologies, or chemical functionalization.
• Semiconductor Industry Context: Familiarity with electronic materials, semiconductor lithography, or surface modification chemistry.
• Mindset: Prior startup experience or a proactive, self-directed working style where you thrive on solving unmapped technical problems.

What kind of person thrives here:

You're someone who is energized by working in a space where the answers aren't known yet. You take ownership of problems rather than waiting for direction. You're rigorous but pragmatic. You know when a perfect result is worth waiting for and when a good-enough result unblocks the next step. You want to see your work matter, and you want to work with people who are genuinely excellent.

Why Join VioNano?

• The opportunity to be one of the first scientists at a company doing genuinely new work in semiconductor materials
• Direct collaboration with a world-class technical founding team
• Daily access to state-of-the‑art facilities at The Engine and MIT.nano
• Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
• Cambridge, MA location — on‑site (lab work requires physical presence)

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