Lead Scientist - Polymer Chemistry

1d1 day ago

Climeworks

Zürich, CH · Full-time · CHF 140,000 – CHF 180,000

About this role

Your mission at Climeworks is to drive innovation in polymer development, securing our competitive edge in solid sorbents for Direct Air Capture (DAC). Your work encompasses refining synthetic protocols and establishing new methodologies to enhance sorbent efficiency. Our materials are tested and characterized in-house.

You perform in-house chemical and physicochemical characterization to ensure the highest material performance standards. You take on the responsibility of training and leading more junior colleagues while being part of our multidisciplinary team of polymer chemists and synthetic chemists. You instill efficient team and department collaboration, assuring continuous learning and development.

You manage collaborations with internal and external partners to complement Climeworks in-house R&D activities. You stay on top of the newest findings and publications in your field. You ensure the correct, accurate, and normed maintenance of laboratory infrastructure and implement a safety-first culture.

You maintain confidentiality of new concepts and designs, including arranging NDAs with suppliers and informing the patent responsible about new designs. You respect Climeworks safety rules, communicate recognized risks to the department head, and participate in safety exercises and courses. Join a horizontal organization with a great team and an improvement-oriented approach in a scale-up venture.

Requirements

Advanced degree in chemistry, specifically polymer chemistry or material science
At least 7 years of hands-on experience in material development and preparation, preferably high-porosity materials for gas separation or water purification
Motivated to do hands-on laboratory work, train and lead more junior colleagues
Advanced knowledge in polymer synthesis, preferably experience in particle formation such as suspension, emulsion, dispersion polymerizations
Expertise in preparation and analysis of porous materials
Experience with porous particle/powder characterization, such as mercury porosimetry, nitrogen adsorption or dynamic vapor sorption
Results-oriented, independent developer
Strong communicator who can explain big picture and technical details to broad audience, business fluent in English, open to travel less than 10%

Responsibilities

Drive innovation in polymer development for solid sorbents in Direct Air Capture (DAC)
Refine synthetic protocols and establish new methodologies to enhance sorbent efficiency
Perform in-house chemical and physicochemical characterization of materials
Train and lead more junior colleagues in a multidisciplinary team
Instill efficient team and department collaboration for continuous learning
Manage collaborations with internal and external partners
Stay on top of newest findings and publications in polymer chemistry
Ensure laboratory infrastructure maintenance, safety-first culture, and accurate documentation