Head Of Research And Development

Head of R&D

Full Time Position

Cypris Materials, Inc.

San Leandro, CA

Est. salary $140,000 + early equity package + benefits

Company Overview

COLOR is crucial to every brand strategy, giving identity to consumer products and creating a personal connection with the customer. Color is the primary reason consumers say they purchased a product and is one of the key features that product design teams focus on when differentiating their brand and new product(s). Yet, the industry has not changed in design nor underlying technology in the last few decades. Currently, chemists must painstakingly produce one color at a time, leading to endless recipes for production, the use of dangerous contaminants, and one-off manufacturing processes. New methods to generate color are necessary to overhaul the highly pollutive methods of current manufacturing and expand the global color gamut. Cypris wants to give the industry a much-needed make-over.

Structural color has been viewed by environmentalists as the holy grail to realize a safer alternative to toxic organic dyes, pigments, and effect pigments. Recognized by the Biomimicry Institute and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and National Science Foundation, Cypris’ team creates polymers (referred to as “binders”) that when formulated into a paint or ink and applied to virtually any surface will self-assemble into structured coatings upon drying that reflect specific wavelengths of light based on the size of the polymers. This mechanism for creating color, called “structural color”, is similar to how the Cypris Morpho butterfly achieves the vivid blue color on its wing.

Cypris Materials decouples color production from the messy “one-chemistry one-color” status quo, setting color free from limitation. The company was founded in Berkeley and has over 14 issued or pending patents to commercialize a color platform that broadens the color gamut, reduces manufacturing hassle, simplifies formulation, and doesn’t pollute the environment.

Position Profile

Cypris is looking for a motivated Head of product – an expert in the formulation and application of inks and paints and driven by the opportunity to make a significant impact at the ground level of a small energetic team with an innovative technology. The successful candidate will be a and quick learner that can work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, while balancing managing the fundamental Research and Development as well as external engagement with partners. The phenotype for this candidate is one who is motivated and excited about building a product and working with customers to meet industry specifications and get to market. They will have the ability to wear many hats and adapt, making good, independent judgement calls and work well in a team to accomplish the highest priority goals.

The person will have a direct responsibility for strengthening the company’s performance:

• Formulating new inks for screen printing, inkjet, and spray application
• Improving applied coating properties through commercial additives and industrial processing techniques
• Interfacing with partners and fulfilling customer orders
• Driving internal R&D and pursuing fundamental discoveries that strengthen the current and future generations of Cypris’ offerings
• Evaluating raw materials and optimize formulations for cost-savings opportunities
• Hiring and mentoring Jr. scientists to develop state-of-the-art formulations

The individual will work directly with the CTO to catalyze the development and optimization of Cypris Materials’ structural color inks and coatings for translation to market in 2024.

Background and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a background in inks, coatings, formulation development, processing, and application. They will demonstrate the ability to address technical challenges and provide creative solutions to compelling scientific questions. Key skills and previous experience:

• Minimum of 5 years, ideally 10, working with industrial ink and paint formulations and industrial application (screen, inkjet, and spray)
• Minimum B.S. in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related scientific discipline
• Hands-on experience with ink formulation and industrially relevant printing and/or spray processes required
• Familiarity with UV curable/crosslinking chemistries and additives
• Familiarity with common coating testing methods (ASTM or similar)

Benefits Include: 401k contribution, 15 days PTO, ~19 company + federal holidays including time off between December 24th and January 1st, medical, dental, vision, and gym membership.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other legally protected status.

Please email your resume and a cover letter to join@cyprismaterials.com with the subject line "Cypris Materials Job Opportunity".

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Choose your own hours
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Formulation: 5 years (Required)
• printing or spray: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person