Senior Chemist / Senior Chemistess

Wyss Zurich - Project Veltist

At Veltist, a distinguished project under the Wyss Zurich initiative, we are revolutionizing post-operative care through our innovative platform technology, Anastoseal. Our aim is to enable the next generation of implantable biomaterials for sealing, healing, and integration with human tissue.

As a pioneering MedTech spin-off from the ETH Domain (including ETH Zurich and Empa), Veltist forms part of the Wyss Zurich Translational Center’s Portfolio Projects. We are an in-foundation startup, leveraging a multi-year research and development program that focuses on a novel class of surgical materials.

Building upon a strong foundation in translational science, we are entering a phase of accelerated growth characterized by:

• Advancing our technology toward first-in-human clinical trials,
• Expanding our technical capabilities, and
• Building a team that thrives on ownership, rigor, and impact.

We collaborate closely with leading surgeons, clinicians, and regulatory experts to ensure that our innovations are not only technically sound but also clinically transformative. Joining Veltist means becoming part of a mission-oriented, interdisciplinary team that believes in purposeful science and the power of great teams to drive meaningful change in the healthcare sector.

Your Role

As an experienced chemist at Veltist, you will have the opportunity to shape, lead, and observe the entire development cycle from bench to clinics, coordinating closely with engineers and leading surgeons. This is not a routine R&D position. It is a front-line opportunity to shape breakthrough biomedical technologies that directly impact patient care. We are looking for someone who is driven, creative, and eager to push the boundaries of their knowledge and experience. Your contributions here will directly aid in saving lives and addressing real surgical challenges.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and synthesis of curable polymer systems for use in implantable materials.
• Translate concepts from discovery to in vivo proof-of-concept, bridging laboratory and preclinical development.
• File and interpret intellectual property documents, aligning with company strategy and product vision.
• Conduct early toxicological assessments and compatibility studies in biological systems.
• Establish quality measures and evaluation protocols for prototype materials and early manufacturing.
• Collaborate across functions (quality, regulatory, clinical, engineering) to drive materials integration into functional medical devices.

Education & Experience

• A PhD in a relevant field is highly preferred, with strong consideration for outstanding younger professionals evaluated based on their profile.
• 2-5+ years of experience in industrial R&D, preferably in fast-paced, result-driven environments (e.g., medical devices, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals).

Skills & Competences

• Technical expertise in polymer chemistry and organic chemistry, particularly in curable compositions.
• Strong translational instincts and hands-on experience with prototype development, biocompatibility, and in vivo readiness.
• Familiarity with ISO 10993 toxicological standards and quality and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of working in a quality-related environment (ISO 13485) is an advantage.
• Prior experience with patenting/IP strategy and early-stage manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Proactive, communicative, and comfortable navigating ambiguity in dynamic environments.
• We value humble ambition, intellectual curiosity, and a mindset oriented toward real-world outcomes.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Willingness to work in Zürich.

Compensation & Growth

• Salary based on experience and fit.
• A clear career evolution track within a venture-focused and fast-moving company.
• Access to an exceptional network across ETH Zurich, Empa, Wyss Zurich, and our clinical partners.
• Further benefits according to the ETH Zurich employee benefits program.

Diversity & Inclusion

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences enrich our team and are fundamental to solving complex challenges in healthcare.

Location

The position is based in Zürich, Switzerland, and requires in-person lab and prototyping work. Some flexibility exists for fieldwork, supplier interaction, or external testing, but day-to-day operations will ground in on-site team collaboration.

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Further Information

For more details about Veltist, please visit our website. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Alexandre Anthis at aanthis@ethz.ch (no applications).

We would like to emphasize that the pre-selection is conducted by responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

For recruitment services, the General Terms and Conditions of ETH Zurich apply.