Principal Adsorption Scientist

Remora is hiring a Principal Adsorption Scientist with expertise in carbon capture processes. The Adsorption Scientist will optimize mass and heat transfer within a packed bed, and help to tackle the defining challenge of our time.

We’re a 75-person climate tech startup based in Detroit, MI. We build a device that captures a semi-truck’s carbon emissions directly from the tailpipe. We sell the CO2 to end-users, and split that revenue with our customers, so our device pays for itself in just a couple years. 

We’re piloting our technology with some of the largest companies in the world, including three of the Fortune 10, and we’ve raised multiple rounds of funding from leading investors like Lowercarbon Capital, Union Square Ventures, and First Round Capital.

Responsibilities

- Validate the uptake and recovery efficiency of carbon dioxide and/or water vapor from adsorbent materials through rigorous experimental validation and data analysis.
- Design and execute experiments to evaluate the performance of adsorbent materials in capturing and releasing carbon dioxide and/or water vapor.
- Analyze experimental data to assess the adsorption capacity, kinetics, selectivity, and cyclic stability of the materials.
- Ensure accuracy and reliability of experimental results through appropriate quality control measures.
- Design regeneration processes that minimize cycle timing, regeneration energy, and/or temperature swing while maximizing the effectiveness of adsorbent materials.
- Develop and optimize regeneration protocols to achieve efficient desorption and regeneration of adsorbents.
- Investigate and evaluate various regeneration techniques, such as thermal, pressure swing, vacuum, or chemical methods.
- Incorporate process parameters that minimize energy consumption, reduce process time, and enhance the longevity of adsorbent materials.
- Investigate and explore novel regeneration methods to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of adsorption systems.
- Stay updated with the latest research and developments in adsorption regeneration techniques.
- Conduct literature reviews and collaborate with industry experts and research institutions to identify and evaluate innovative regeneration methods.
- Propose and lead research projects to explore the feasibility and potential applications of novel regeneration approaches.
- Optimize mass transfer within adsorption systems to increase uptake capacity through modeling and experimentation.
- Utilize mathematical models and simulation tools to analyze mass transfer phenomena within adsorption systems.
- Design experiments to validate and improve the performance of adsorbent materials, focusing on enhancing the adsorption kinetics and uptake capacity.
- Collaborate with engineers and researchers to optimize process parameters, including flow rates, contact time, and adsorbent bed design.
- Support the technology team in the development of device hardware and processes for gas separation and purification.
- Collaborate closely with engineers, designers, and technicians to develop novel hardware components for efficient gas separation and purification.
- Provide technical expertise and guidance in the selection and optimization of adsorption processes, materials, and system configurations.
- Work collaboratively to optimize gas flow dynamics, pressure management, and system control mechanisms to achieve superior performance.
- Support work to optimize heat transfer mechanisms to increase the recovery efficiency during regeneration processes.

Requirements

- Doctoral degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field and 12+ years of relevant work experience.OR 17+ years of relevant work experience.
- Strong educational background in relevant fields, demonstrating a solid foundation in adsorption science and engineering principles.
- Proficient in utilizing and operating relevant laboratory equipment and practices.
- Sound knowledge of adsorption phenomena, materials, and processes.
- Familiarity with experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation techniques.
- Ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and research findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Attention to detail and commitment to quality in all aspects of work.

Here’s what we value

- You want to join a fast-paced, fast-growing startup.
- You care deeply about reducing carbon emissions and building power for the historically excluded communities that will be most affected by those emissions.
- You fully own projects, and you identify and solve problems through completion.
- You adapt to change, and you appreciate failures as learning opportunities, constructively sharing them with your teammates.
- You improve your teammates’ performance through collaboration. You consistently pursue personal and professional growth for yourself and your teammates.
- You voice respectful disagreement and provide high-quality constructive feedback.
- You’re an effective and active listener, and a clear and concise communicator.

Logistics

- Location: Wixom MI
- Start date: July 2023
- COVID-19: Remora requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Applicants are required to submit proof of vaccination prior to beginning employment. Appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions are implemented in the workplace.

Salary and Benefits

- Salary: USD 177,000
- Equity: 0.14%
- Healthcare (Aetna)
- Retirement (401k)
- Student loan assistance
- Four weeks of paid time off
- Dependent care assistance (childcare or eldercare)
- Parental leave
- Unlimited sick and compassionate leave
- Employee development and coaching
Climate change disproportionately impacts communities of color, so we’re looking for candidates deeply committed to reducing emissions and to racial justice. People who identify as Black, Indigenous, person of color, female, non-binary, trans, gender non-conforming, or any other identity underrepresented in startups are especially encouraged to apply.

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to think they are qualified for a position after reading a list of requirements like the one above. If you are worried that you are not qualified, please apply anyway! We’re most excited to work with people who learn quickly and want to tackle the climate crisis.