Identifysensors

The Lead Materials & Ink Formulation Chemist develops and optimizes screen-printable graphene inks used in semiconductor biosensors for commercial manufacturing. The role focuses on graphene powder functionalization, dispersion development, and rheological tuning of inks for screen printing.

This is a highly hands‑on laboratory position where the scientist will personally design and execute formulation experiments, materials characterization, and printed film evaluation. The role requires an experienced chemist capable of independently driving formulation development and solving complex nanomaterial dispersion and ink rheology challenges with minimal support.

The Lead Materials & Ink Formulation Chemist will generate data linking graphene functionalization, ink chemistry, and print performance to electrical sensor reliability and manufacturing consistency.

Core Responsibilities Primary Technical Focus

• Graphene powder functionalization and surface modification
• Stable dispersion of graphene in high-solids ink systems
• Rheological control of inks for screen printing
• Optimization of ink–substrate interactions and adhesion
• Correlation of material properties with electrical sensor performance

• Perform processing and chemical functionalization of graphene powders
• Modify graphene surfaces to improve:
  • Dispersion stability
  • Wettability
  • Adhesion to substrates
• Evaluate the effects of functionalization on:
  • Particle dispersion behavior
  • Electrical conductivity
  • Surface energy
  • Compatibility with ink systems
• Document graphene processing procedures and variation in properties among batches
• Prepare and optimize graphene dispersions for conductive functional ink systems. Control dispersion parameters including:
  • Particle size distribution
  • Zeta potential
  • Aggregation behavior
  • Solids loading
• Evaluate dispersion stability across solvent systems and storage conditions
• Develop screen‑printable graphene inks for biosensor manufacturing
• Tune rheological properties required for screen printing, including:
  • Viscosity
  • Shear‑thinning and thixotropic behavior
  • Print recovery
  • Solids loading
• Optimize inks and printing parameters (including substrates and screens) to achieve high print resolution:
  • Film continuity
  • Uniform electrical performance

Ink Characterization & Surface Science

• Characterize inks and dispersions using:
  • Viscosity measurements
  • Particle size analysis (DLS)
  • Zeta potential measurements
  • Surface tension measurements
  • Conduct contact angle and surface energy analysis to evaluate ink–substrate compatibility

Printed Film Evaluation

• Adhesion to substrates
• Electrical conductivity
• Mechanical stability
• Correlate graphene functionalization and ink formulation parameters with printed film and device performance

Data Collection & Documentation

• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and formulation logs
• Analyze and summarize experimental data in tables, charts, and technical summaries
• Support development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and formulation protocols
• Serve as the technical lead for ink formulation development, collaborating with R&D scientists, engineering teams, and quality teams to support integration of graphene inks into scaled production and commercial biosensor platforms

Education

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in: Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Nanotechnology

Technical Experience

• Approximately 10 years of hands‑on experience developing dispersions, formulations, and advanced materials systems
• Extensive familiarity with surface science concepts, including surface energy, wettability, adhesion, and interfacial chemistry
• Hands‑on experience with nanomaterial dispersions, preferably involving graphene or other carbon nanomaterials, including dispersion of nanoparticle systems, stabilization of high‑solids suspensions, control of aggregation behavior, and correlation between dispersion structure and electrical conductivity
• Experience developing conductive ink formulations, including rheological tuning for printing processes such as screen printing
• Experience working with high‑solids nanomaterial suspensions (typically 2–50 wt%) used in printing or coating applications
• Experience working in laboratory environments requiring independent experimental execution and problem solving

Preferred Experience

• Graphene or carbon nanomaterials
• Conductive inks
• Printed electronics

Experience formulating or processing conductive nanomaterial systems such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, or other nanoparticle inks used in printed electronics, energy storage, or sensor applications is strongly preferred.

• This is a full‑time, on‑site laboratory role in Gainesville, Florida (USA) involving daily experimental work.
• The position requires adherence to GLP safety practices and ISO 13485 manufacturing standards, with collaboration across R&D, engineering, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing teams.

Location

The Lead Materials & Ink Formulation Chemist position is full‑time and on‑site, requiring daily laboratory work in Gainesville, Florida. The role requires adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and ISO 13485 manufacturing standards, with collaboration across R&D, engineering, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing teams.