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The Position
A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Roche.
At Roche, we are working to make next-generation sequencing simple and accessible enough for routine use. By accelerating clinical research, streamlining workflows, and expanding assay menus, we are broadening access to genomic data and lowering barriers to adoption. From robust sample isolation and preparation tools to novel sequencing technology and advanced bioinformatics, we are developing differentiated, highly integrated end-to-end solutions for next-generation sequencing, resulting in a sample in, result out workflow.

The Director, Surface Chemistry role offers an exciting opportunity to lead the innovation and commercialization of critical surface modifications of injection molded plastic and inorganic substrates, with a primary focus on enabling advanced applications within next-generation sequencing (NGS) consumables. As a key technical leader within Roche, this person will spearhead efforts in the synthetic manipulation of material surfaces. This includes meticulous control over (bio)chemical modification, surface energy and the minimization of non-specific adsorption phenomena, all crucial for the performance and reliability of sophisticated consumables. This position encompasses direct responsibility for leading cutting-edge surface analysis and characterization initiatives, the strategic development and validation of robust quality control (QC) methodologies, and providing expert technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams navigating complex, interconnected systems. The successful candidate will play a central role in driving the successful development, scale-up, and market introduction of novel, high-performance consumables, directly contributing to Roche’s continued leadership in the diagnostics space.

• You will provide expert technical leadership and strategic direction for the design, development, and implementation of surface modification strategies tailored for injection molded plastic and inorganic materials intended for complex consumable applications.
• You will drive the synthetic manipulation of material surfaces at a molecular level to precisely engineer surface energy characteristics and effectively mitigate non-specific adsorption of critical biomolecules, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing background noise in downstream applications.
• You will lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of comprehensive surface modification strategies that align with product requirements, manufacturing feasibility, and commercialization timelines for intricate consumables.
• You will oversee and actively participate in advanced surface analysis and characterization using a diverse range of techniques (e.g., XPS, ToF-SIMS, AFM, contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry) to thoroughly understand surface composition, morphology, and chemical properties, and to establish critical structure-property relationships.
• You will spearhead the development, validation, and implementation of robust and scalable QC methods for surface-modified products, ensuring consistent material quality, adherence to specifications, and long-term product stability throughout the product lifecycle.
• You will serve as a subject matter expert in surface chemistry, providing deep technical insights and guidance to problem-solving and troubleshooting efforts within complex, interconnected, and multidisciplinary system environments, effectively identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions related to surface performance.
• You will collaborate closely with research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to seamlessly integrate surface modification processes into the overall consumable development and manufacturing workflows.
• You will maintain a thorough understanding of the latest advancements in surface chemistry, materials science, and relevant analytical techniques, proactively identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement in existing and future product development initiatives.
• You will author and review technical documentation, including development reports, SOPs, and QC specifications, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.
• You will present technical findings and project updates to internal and external stakeholders, effectively communicating complex concepts and progress against key milestones.
• You will mentor and guide junior scientists and engineers within the team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.

This is an on-site position based in Santa Clara, CA.
Relocation benefits are not being offered for this role.

• You will provide expert technical leadership and strategic direction for the design, development, and implementation of surface modification strategies tailored for injection molded plastic and inorganic materials intended for complex consumable applications.
• You will drive the synthetic manipulation of material surfaces at a molecular level to precisely engineer surface energy characteristics and effectively mitigate non-specific adsorption of critical biomolecules, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing background noise in downstream applications.
• You will lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of comprehensive surface modification strategies that align with product requirements, manufacturing feasibility, and commercialization timelines for intricate consumables.
• You will oversee and actively participate in advanced surface analysis and characterization using a diverse range of techniques (e.g., XPS, ToF-SIMS, AFM, contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry) to thoroughly understand surface composition, morphology, and chemical properties, and to establish critical structure-property relationships.
• You will spearhead the development, validation, and implementation of robust and scalable QC methods for surface-modified products, ensuring consistent material quality, adherence to specifications, and long-term product stability throughout the product lifecycle.
• You will serve as a subject matter expert in surface chemistry, providing deep technical insights and guidance to problem-solving and troubleshooting efforts within complex, interconnected, and multidisciplinary system environments, effectively identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions related to surface performance.
• You will collaborate closely with research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to seamlessly integrate surface modification processes into the overall consumable development and manufacturing workflows.
• You will maintain a thorough understanding of the latest advancements in surface chemistry, materials science, and relevant analytical techniques, proactively identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement in existing and future product development initiatives.
• You will author and review technical documentation, including development reports, SOPs, and QC specifications, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.
• You will present technical findings and project updates to internal and external stakeholders, effectively communicating complex concepts and progress against key milestones.
• You will mentor and guide junior scientists and engineers within the team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning