Research Scientist - Imaging & Microstructural Characterization

vVARDIS is a Swiss-based oral health company founded by Dr. Haley and Dr. Goly Abivardi, dentists, innovators, and award-winning entrepreneurs. vVARDIS is the result of a combined 30 years of dental and entrepreneurial experience, and 20 years of laboratory and clinical research paired with the creative vision of its founders. At vVARDIS, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that enhance oral health and well-being, inspired by the vision of our founders to foster preventive rather than reparative dentistry. Scientifically proven in over 200 publications, our unique technology can treat early caries, offering a noninvasive, pain-free solution for patients of all ages. We offer a number of oral health products targeting dental professionals and their patients, as well as consumers, all based on our proprietary technology. We value our people and believe in fostering a positive and collaborative work environment, based on our core values of innovation, excellence, integrity, and empathy. We are located in Zug, Switzerland, with operations in Europe and the U.S. Join us on this exciting journey!

About the Role

As a Research Scientist in our Michigan dental materials research laboratory, you will be a core member of a small, hands-on R\&D team. This newly established lab provides in-house in vitro remineralization testing and biomaterials characterization. Reporting to the Lab Director, you will design and run studies on tooth specimens, prepare imaging-ready specimens, and perform advanced characterization on shared instrumentation at the University of Michigan campus and on site at our lab in Plymouth Michigan.

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.
• Own the lab's high-resolution imaging workstream: plan and execute TEM/STEM and/or MicroCT studies of carious lesions, remineralized surface layers, and peptide–mineral interfaces, and turn the resulting datasets into defensible conclusions.
• Develop, optimize, and validate test protocols and standard operating procedures, ensuring reproducibility, sound experimental design, and appropriate controls across studies.
• Prepare hard-tissue and material specimens to imaging-ready quality — sectioning, embedding, mounting, grinding, polishing, and, where applicable, FIB lift-out of sections for NanoCT or TEM analysis.
• Execute advanced imaging and characterization using University of Michigan shared instrumentation and internal lab resources — including S/TEM, SEM, FIB, EDS, electron diffraction, MicroCT/NanoCT, Raman, FTIR, XRD, SAXS/WAXS, NanoSIMS, nanoindentation, TOF-MS, and atom probe tomography.
• Perform quantitative 3D image analysis — reconstruction, artifact and beam-hardening correction, segmentation, mineral-density calibration, and lesion morphometry — using Dragonfly or equivalent software, and document the workflow so results are reproducible by others.
• 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.
• 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, with 2\+ years of relevant research experience. (M.S. with substantial, demonstrable independent imaging experience will be considered.)
• Documented hands-on depth in either transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM, including specimen preparation and diffraction or analytical modes) or X-ray microtomography (MicroCT/NanoCT acquisition, reconstruction, and quantitative analysis) — and working familiarity with the other, or a clear willingness to develop it. For tomography, any platform counts: Bruker/SkyScan, Zeiss Xradia, Scanco, synchrotron beamline. We care that you understand the physics and the artifacts, not that you have used our model.
• Graduate or postdoctoral 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.
• Track record of independent instrument operation — trained and signed off as an independent user on at least one major shared-facility instrument.

Required 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 or otherwise brittle, heterogeneous specimen handling and preparation.
• Meticulous record keeping and documentation.

Preferred Skills

• Atom probe tomography (APT) a distinct plus. Experience preparing and running APT specimens, particularly from non-metallic, mineral, or biological materials, and interpreting reconstructions.
• FIB lift-out and low-kV final thinning of beam-sensitive, non-conductive, or hydrated specimens; cryo-preparation methods.
• Quantitative MicroCT: mineral-density calibration with phantoms, beam-hardening and ring-artifact correction, and segmentation of low-contrast lesion boundaries.
• Electron diffraction, HRTEM lattice imaging, or 4D-STEM applied to apatite or other biominerals.
• NanoSIMS, XRD, SAXS/WAXS, ICP-MS, TOF-SIMS or TOF-MS.
• Correlative workflows that register the same region across two or more modalities.
• Peptide characterization, biomineralization chemistry, or biomaterials testing.
• Scripting for image analysis (Python, MATLAB, ImageJ/Fiji macros) and familiarity with Dragonfly or comparable 3D analysis software.

Equal Opportunity Statement

vVARDIS is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.