Research Scientist

About the role

vVARDIS is a Swiss-based oral health company founded by Dr. Haley and Dr. Goly Abivardi. The company focuses on innovative solutions for enhancing oral health and well-being, inspired by the founders' vision to promote preventive dentistry.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and execution of in vitro remineralization studies on enamel and dentin, including controlled demineralization/remineralization challenges, mineral-uptake, surface and cross-sectional measurements.
• Develop, optimize, and validate test protocols and standard operating procedures, ensuring reproducibility, sound experimental design, and appropriate controls across studies.
• Interpret analytical and imaging results, perform statistical analysis, and synthesize findings into clear reports and quality data for internal R&D and the parent-company team.
• Prepare hard-tissue and material specimens as needed to imaging-ready quality (sectioning, mounting, grinding, and polishing) and execute advanced imaging and characterization — including SEM, FIB, EDS, TEM, Raman, XRD, SAX/WAXS, NanoSIMS, FTIR, Hardness, MicroCT, TOF-MS, and atom probe tomography using instrumentation at the University of Michigan campus and internal lab resources.
• Support characterization of new peptide candidates for structure and efficacy, both in the laboratory and through advanced analysis at the University of Michigan.
• Contribute to laboratory quality and safety, including SDS and chemical management, instrument upkeep, and help train and mentor technical staff.

Qualifications

• PhD in materials science, chemistry, biomedical engineering, oral health sciences or a related field
• 2+ years of relevant research experience
• Ideal candidates will have a graduate research focus in materials characterization, ideally applied to mineralized or biological tissues (enamel, dentin, or bone) with hands-on time at a shared materials-characterization facility (e.g., electron microscopy, XRD, or nanoindentation core).
• Exposure to peptide or biomolecule structure–function work is an additional plus.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills, with sound experimental design and statistical interpretation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including scientific report writing
• Hands-on experience in an experimental laboratory setting, with rigorous attention to protocol, reproducibility, and safety
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small, multidisciplinary team
• Experience with hard-tissue specimen handling

Preferred Skills

• X-ray crystallography and materials characterization (XRD, WAXS/SAXS)
• FTIR, Raman, ICP-MS experience, NanoSIMS, WAX/SAX, XRD
• SEM, FIB, EDS, TEM, time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS)
• Metallographic specimen preparation (sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing)
• Familiarity with peptide characterization and biomaterials testing