R&D Lab Technician (m/w/d)

Join a team that is changing millions of lives. 

Transforming smiles, changing lives. 

At Align Technology, we believe a great smile can transform a person’s life, so we create technology that gives people the confidence to take on whatever’s next. We revolutionized the orthodontic industry with the introduction of the Invisalign system, and we have never lost sight of that spirit of innovation. Our diverse and collaborative teams are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. 

Ready to join us?

About this opportunity 

As a R&D Lab Technician you will impact Cubicure’s development efforts in the field of photopolymer materials and related materials R&D, taking the whole additive manufacturing work-flow into consideration. As an innovative key contributor, you will be responsible for executing projects that focus on new product development, outside product assessment, improving Cubicure’s existing products and long-term & innovative R&D strategies. In this function you will work together with a team of skilled professionals in the area of material development, 3D-printing, post-processing and material characterization & part testing. 

The ideal candidate will have a background in polymer chemistry especially in the area of additive manufacturing. In addition, it is desirable to have experience in thermoplastics, coating and adhesive, and/or thermoset materials and also in dental or medical industries. 

In this role, you will… 

• impact the development of Cubicure’s photopolymer portfolio materials and customized formulations.
• design and evaluate novel photopolymers/formulations for the application in lithography-based 3D-printing (e.g., stereolithography).
• evaluate novel mixing and formulating processes as material production technology.
• perform and establish 3D-printing of these formulations and post-processing strategies (e.g., physical and mechanical cleaning, thermal or UV post curing)
• analyze newly produced polymers/monomers/components and final formulations using chemical & physical characterization techniques. In addition, further characterize cured parts on a coupon level via established industrial testing protocols (e.g., ISO, ASTM).
• establish a positive and progressive working culture on the laboratory level. 
• efficiently work on projects with cross-functional teams.
• prepare written reports summarizing key findings.
• identify and implement effective courses of action.
• carefully write and improve existing laboratory procedures.
• work independently at the laboratory bench to develop and evaluate new products or adapt and improve existing ones.
• set-up and handling of lab and testing equipment, materials, electricity, machines, and chemicals according to dedicated safety protocols.

In this role, you’ll need … 

• 3+ years of material research & development experience, especially in monomer/polymer synthesis, engineering, characterization, and testing (e.g., DSC, IR-spectroscopy, rheology, (thermo)mechanical testing).
• Bachelor degree or equivalent in chemistry, polymer engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, or related field.
• strong technical knowledge, deep understanding of structure-property relationships and proficiency in polymers.
• to be a visionary, self-confident, creative, passionate, and professional decision maker and team player.
• exceptional communication and problem-solving skills. 

Desired  

• +3 years of photopolymer formulation experience.
• familiarity with chemistry and polymer characterization methods (mechanical testing, thermal analysis, rheology, spectroscopy, and the underlying theory).
• ability to work on projects that vary from routine to very complex.
• strong quality awareness and reliability
• ability to work independently and communicate the findings effectively (ideally in both, German and English).

German: Für die Position gilt der Kollektivvertrag für Kunststoffverarbeiter, das Mindestgrundgehalt nach 4 Verwendungsjahren liegt bei 3.295,69 monatlich Euro brutto für die Verwendungsgruppe IV mit klare Bereitschaft zur Überzahlung.

English: The collective agreement for plastic processors (Kunststoffverarbeiter), applies to the position, the minimum basic salary with 4 years of experience is 3,295.69 euros gross per month for the job category IV with a clear willingness to overpay.

Sound like a good fit?   

Great! Click the “Apply” link to let us know you are interested. Not the right fit? Don’t worry, Align is quickly growing so we are creating more opportunities to expand our Align family. Please consider joining our Talent Network to receive notifications about future jobs or sharing this opportunity with others in your network.   

About Align   

Align Technology is a publicly traded medical device company that is transforming smiles and changing lives. Our global team of talented employees develop innovative technology, tools and treatment options to help dental professionals worldwide achieve the clinical results they expect. Our digital ecosystem combines the power of technology to create beautiful smiles through the integration of AI and machine learning, digital imaging and visualization, biomechanics and material science to develop the Invisalign system, the most advanced clear aligner system in the world; iTero Intraoral Scanners and OrthoCAD digital services. Did you know? Align is the world’s largest manufacturer of custom 3D-printed materials.   

By joining Align, you will be part of a global, fast-growing company in one of the most dynamic industries. Great people, innovative technologies, and meaningful work – these are just some of the things employees say make Align Technology a great place to work.   

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Global Diversity Statement:

At Align, we believe in the power of a smile, and we know that every smile is as unique as our employees. As we grow, we will continue building a workforce of diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences and fostering a culture of open-mindedness and compassion for all our employees. We live our company values by promoting healthy people and healthy communities. All with the intent of changing millions of lives, one unique smile at a time.

Equal Opportunity Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity in all of our employment practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, age, individuals with disabilities, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression or any other legally protected category. Applicants for positions with Align must be legally authorized to work in the country which they are applying for and verification of employment eligibility will be required as a condition of hire.

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