R&D Electrochemist

Job title: Electrochemist (Carbon Removal)
Location: London-based with our flexible trust-based work policy
Salary: Competitive

Contract type: Full time

Looking to use your powers for good? Join Mission Zero Technologies to help fight the climate crisis on the molecular frontline.

About Mission Zero Technologies

We’re a London-based climate tech startup working to reinvent carbon for a thriving planet. Since 2020, we have rapidly pioneered the world’s most versatile direct air capture (DAC) technology to recover historic CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere, anywhere at any scale. Backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the XPRIZE foundation, Stripe, and the UK Government, we’ve moved a brand new climate technology from lab to commercial plants in under three years to rapidly empower carbon removal and sustainable utilisation.

We’re now looking for an Electrochemist to enhance our innovative team. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in driving research forward, as well as designing and conducting experimental work related to our electrochemical processes. Your ability to analyse data is crucial for validating hypotheses and refining our understanding of electrochemistry. This position will require a holistic understanding of both the electrochemical release and capture aspects of our DAC process.

About the role 

You will work primarily with the technology team (scientists and engineers), focusing on developing foundational scientific/engineering solutions to advance and enhance our current and future DAC products. This may involve investigating alternative stack designs, membrane-electrolyte interactions and membrane/interface modifications. The role may also require you to represent the team in various cross-functional projects, collaborating with our product, engineering delivery, and commercial development teams, ensuring consistent information sharing and alignment of goals and visions.

Your role will be crucial in shaping the performance of our next-generation electrochemical release process, thereby contributing to the development of our groundbreaking DAC technology. You will have the opportunity to witness the scale-up from the initial R&D stage to implementation in real-world pilot plants.

This multifaceted role involves conducting experiments, testing different hypotheses, and reporting findings to the technology team through both verbal and written reports. As our technology progresses, you may also have the chance to visit different our emerging UK & international sites, suppliers, and partners.

What you’ll be doing

• Working on the development of the electrodialytic regeneration of CO2:
• Guiding and developing experimental plans, 
• Conducting comprehensive experimental campaigns  to test and validate hypotheses,
• Optimising the operational conditions of the processes across all product scales,
• Exploring and integrating innovative experimental methodologies to drive advancements in the field.
• Presenting findings clearly and efficiently to the technology team while also collaborating with the engineering delivery and operations teams (through both written and oral communication).
• Working with Process, Mechanical, Electrical and Control engineers on the design specifications for integrated test-stands, pilot skids and full scale product deployments.
• Providing support for external collaborations with academic partners, contractors and suppliers. 
• To be a contributing member of the scientific committee;
• Reviewing scientific data,
• Contributing to external reports and grants,
• Identifying new directions in research and innovation. 
• Shared responsibility for good housekeeping in laboratory and equipment.
• Observation of, and adherence to, all health and safety requirements set out by the company.

What you’ll need to be successful in this role

• A PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering (or related field) or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong understanding of electrochemical principles, techniques, processes and applications.
• Use of a strong first-principles approach to understand phenomena, identify problems and implement solutions.
• To be adaptable & innovative.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to both lead and work within teams.
• Broad practical skills in setting up experiments, test stands & prototypes.
• Strong interest in the engineering aspects in scaling up laboratory experiments.
• Proficiency in managing time and resources to drive projects to successful conclusions.
• Ability to path-find through unknown and ambiguous variable space.
• Can articulate a clear vision and strategy for technology development.
• A genuine passion for addressing climate-related challenges.

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• Experience with ion transfer and separation processes (e.g. electrodialysis, electrodeionisation).
• Experience with membrane technologies (e.g. ion exchange membranes, membrane development).
• Experience with electrochemical reduction and oxidation reactions.
• Fundamental understanding of organic acid/base chemistry.
• Experience with gas-liquid absorption processes.
• Experience with scaling up technologies.
• Prior exposure to CO2 capture and utilisation technologies.

What can we offer you?

• 30 days of Annual Leave
• 3 months Paternity/Maternity Leave
• £500 annual Personal Development Grant
• Unlimited mental health support
• Employee Share Options Scheme
• Christmas holidays office closure
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employer-matched contributions to global re-wilding programme
• Opportunities to directly impact where our company is headed
• A high-growth, high-trust environment that encourages bold creativity
  
  

At Mission Zero, we value diversity of cultural backgrounds, experience, and perspectives, and leverage these qualities to create exceptional outcomes. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, sex, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis as protected by applicable law. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation.

Our hiring process

Kindly allow us up to two weeks to review your application. Providing both of our schedules align, the total hiring process should take 4-6 weeks total to wrap up. 

• Application review
• Screening video interview (30-45 minutes)
• Technical case study assignment (2 hours max.)
• Final interview