CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia and childhood myopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com

Job Summary:

The primary focus of this role is to carry out research, design, development, synthesis, fabrication, and testing of novel materials and/or processes for contact lens products, and generate and develop new innovations, including improvements to existing contact lens materials and processes.  The role will involve taking responsibility for designing, planning and the completion of experiments to ensure that the data generated is appropriately analyzed and reported.  The job holder will also be expected to support the Chemistry team with activities such as equipment qualifications and dealing with hazardous waste (as per regulatory requirements and current policies and procedures) in their assigned work area.

Essential Functions & Accountabilities:

• Works effectively in a team environment.


• Ability to work on multiple assignments simultaneously.


• Design, develop and implement effective experimental strategies, and execute experiments with minimal supervision. Ability to troubleshoot when problems arise.


• Effectively communicates, both orally and written, with internal personnel and external partners.


• Analyzes data using statistical techniques, writes technical reports and creates presentations.


• Keeps others informed on project progress and issues.


• Stays informed and educated with technological advances to assist with product development.


• Contributes to continuous improvement in own work area.


• Ensure that Health and Safety requirements are always met and never compromised.


• Trains more junior team members where appropriate.


• Identifies problems and suggests solutions.


• Innovative approach to problem solving.


• Ability to work with external partners where needed.


• Minimal travel required.

CooperVision’s management team is committed to the development of and implementation of the quality management system and maintaining its effectiveness by communicating to the organization the importance of meeting customer as well as statutory and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read and understand highly technical material.


• Technical Report writing experience.


• Knowledge of polymer chemistry, including free radical polymerization preferred.


• Knowledge of materials, ideally polymeric materials preferred.


• Data analysis and presenting.


• Knowledge of basic statistical techniques.


• Effective teamwork skills.


• Highly organized: Proven ability to manage workload effectively and plan accordingly.


• Self-directed: Ability to work independently on multiple, often conflicting, priorities.


• Excellent communication skills.


• Ability to meet strict deadlines and work under pressure.


• Flexibility in accepting work assignments as required by the needs of the business.


• Intermediate skill in the use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Advanced preferred.

Work Environment:

• The individual will be required to work in offices, clean rooms, manufacturing areas and laboratories.  The job holder may also be required to work at other Coopervision sites, and travel abroad if required.


• Flexibility in working hours is required e.g. to meet deadlines i.e. working early/late/outside of normal hours.  The role is an exempt salaried position and does not pay overtime.


• The role will require the individual to come into contact with hazardous materials or working environments. The individual will be required to wear/use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the task in hand outlined in SOP’s including items such as lab coat, eye protection and gloves. The job requires the handling of materials that come under COSHH guidelines.

Experience:

• Minimum of 0-3 years’ experience depending on degree level


• Knowledge of chromatography and mass spectrometry-based material characterization techniques and hands-on experience with HPLC, GC and/or LCMS instruments required

Education:

• Bachelor of Science degree with minimum 3 years’ experience in Chemistry, Biological Sciences or related field


• Master of Science degree with minimum 2 years’ experience in Chemistry, Biological Sciences or related field


• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biological Sciences or related field of study, with no additional experience required