What are your responsibilities as team leader of R&D at Ivoclar Vivadent?

Recently, we have established a completely new team that is responsible for the lifecycle management of all clinical and technical products of the Organic R&D department. This means that my responsibility, especially at the very beginning, is to give my team the framework that provides it with the necessary scope for action. In addition, my team has an important interface function between all departments. As a team leader, I provide ongoing support to all the team members. Moreover, I also act as a materials expert for special dental product classes because I worked as a developer during the past 5 years. In other words, my experience and expertise with regard to dental products as well as organisational procedures allows me to back up the whole team.

What made you choose Ivoclar Vivadent as an employer? Can you describe how the application process worked for you?

After my PhD, I applied for lots of jobs, as it was customary at that time. Therefore, I luckily had the chance to get to know different companies during the application process. At first for me as a chemist, a dental company was not in my focus, but I gave it a try. And I have to confess, it was a very pleasant experience. The application process was fast and friendly and included a phone call, a skype interview and a one-day work trial with final interviews with my future supervisor and the HR business partner. During the application process, I realised relatively quickly that a friendly working environment combined with so much nature surrounding me was exactly what I was looking for. Even today, I would make the same decision as 5 years ago.

During your PhD you focused on bioinorganic chemistry. How can you apply your expertise in biochemistry and organometallic chemistry in your daily work at Ivoclar Vivadent?

I think it is not my expertise in bioinorganic chemistry in particular that I apply in my daily work. It is more the experience I have been able to gather in chemistry which I can apply in connection with and put into context with all the functionalities of the dental products. This has made it much easier for me to understand the different outcomes during the development stage of a product and to react accordingly.

You graduated in chemistry. Does Ivoclar Vivadent also employ graduates with a different field of study?

Of course, Ivoclar Vivadent employs graduates with many different backgrounds. In the different departments, various kinds of expertise are needed. Most of the developers in the R&D department, for example, have a chemistry or materials science background. In the Scientific Services department, our employees are mainly biologists who are responsible for creating very important documentation.

How important is harmony between work and outside life for you? Does Ivoclar Vivadent offer a good work-life balance for its employees?

Harmony is always needed! Since we are in the Alps here and have a lot of opportunities, it is easy to find an activity that helps ensure a good work-life balance. Nevertheless, Ivoclar Vivadent conducts regular workshops to support employees in achieving and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we have free yoga classes, for example.

You were already promoted once during your employment at Ivoclar Vivadent. How do you imagine your future career opportunities to look like?

In a company that is much smaller than the famous tech giants or big chemical companies, it is generally not possible to get promoted every few years. But I think that by continuously doing good work, I will be able to assume a position with an even wider area of responsibility. This also happened when I was promoted last time.

Which suggestions do you have for a recent ETH graduate applying for jobs or internships?

Always have a look at our website; there you can find a continually updated list of the job offers or available internships at our headquarters in Schaan and at our subsidiaries. If there is no suitable job offer or internship, do not hesitate to contact us proactively and send us your application documents.

What are your responsibilities as Head of the Quality Control Department and Analytical Services R&D at Ivoclar Vivadent?

As Head of the Quality Control Department, I am responsible for the technical and organizational management of a laboratory with ca. 50 employees. We ensure that chemical, analytical, material and dental inspections are performed in a correct and timely manner to allow clearance of raw materials and products. A main focus of my work is to establish, develop and implement a global strategy for quality control. To this end, I follow the trends and changes with regards to global regulatory demands in the area of quality control. As Head of the Analytical Services R&D, I ensure that we have the required analysis methods and possess the respective infrastructure.

You graduated with a degree in Biochemistry. Does Ivoclar Vivadent also employ graduates of other fields of study (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Sciences)?

Ivoclar Vivadent employs graduates from almost all fields of study. In R&D, we have an interdisciplinary team of chemists, material scientists, physicists, process engineers and of course also dental specialists and biologists. In device development, system engineers and software developers work on machines which simplify the work of dentists and dental technicians and ensure a safer and more aesthetic dental prosthesis for the patient.

How does a typical work day in industry differ from one at university?

Working in industry, especially in medical technology, is subject to a high degree of regulation, resulting in very structured and well-documented procedures. Research & Development is strongly focused on customer needs, leading to clearly defined development objectives – research is not an end in itself. However, Ivoclar Vivadent has a fully-developed department for basic research and technology, in which we work on new approaches and technological foundations.

What made you choose Ivoclar Vivadent as an employer? Can you describe how the application process worked for you?

When I applied for the job at Ivoclar Vivadent 15 years ago, I didn’t know the company. The position in the Scientific Service was appealing to me: Planning clinical studies, assessing biocompatibility, risk management – exciting and rich in variety.

After your PhD, you went on to do postgraduate studies at the University of Basel. Was that a prerequisite for your first position at Ivoclar Vivadent?

Of course continuous education does not end with a job in industry. Ivoclar enabled me to enroll in and complete an extra-educational post-graduate studies course in pharmaceutical medicine in which I was able to deepen my knowledge in this specific field of expertise.

During your PhD and your time at UCLA, your research focussed on RNA biochemistry. Did that area ever come up during your work now?

No, the RNA biochemistry of tropical pathogens is basic research par excellence and has nothing to do with my current work as regards subject matter. But of course I acquired many skills helpful in my current position: the structured search for solutions, the evaluation of alternatives approaches and simply sticking with it. My time in Los Angeles was coined by the work in a very heterogeneous and international team. This allowed me to make experiences which I draw on in my international position today.

A lot of your past and present work at the company dealt with regulatory affairs. How much “natural science” do you still come in contact with each day?

Regulatory affairs has more to do with natural science than the name might suggest. It’s about verifying available data for their scientificity and to defend it against government agencies. This can make even seasoned developers break a sweat… In my current position, I head the Analytical Services R&D besides the Quality Control Department. Unexpected questions come up again and again. But I haven’t worked in the lab myself in years.

Two years ago, you became Head of Global Quality Control. What is particularly challenging when setting standards for an international cooperation?

We have 8 production sites in the US, in Europe and in the Philippines, all with their unique history and culture and with their own peculiarities. Combining the work from all those different locations is not easy. The regulatory situation is the same for all of them, which simplifies my work. The interesting thing about it is to excite everyone for the same path and to impose standards without robbing the local organizations of their autonomy. This means a lot of relationship building and cultural understanding. My experiences from my postdoc in LA help a lot with that.

Looking at your career at Ivoclar Vivadent, what are you plans and goals for the future? Which opportunities exist at your company for personal development?

Ivoclar offers dedicated employees opportunities to upgrade their education, may it be in terms of hierarchical or technical level. Myself, I have never really planned my career – options aren’t really predictable. What’s important to me is that my job is exciting and fulfilling – that is the basis for successful work and thus new opportunities.

Which suggestions do you have for a recent ETH graduate applying for jobs or internships?

Look for something that fits your type and could be fun. Apply with Ivoclar Vivadent!