Senior Scientist

Want to disrupt one of the largest industries in the world? Fortera is a Materials Technology Company headquartered in Silicon Valley focused on paving the way to zero CO2 cement. The technology is inspired by nature and directly converts CO2 into a replacement for ordinary cement, turning a problem into a product. With over 100,000 hours of R&D, 10+ years of real-world product demonstration, and Fortera’s first small commercial plant operational, Fortera is growing the team to commercialize globally. Be on the ground floor of a carbon-to-value movement that will impact millions for generations to come. We are looking for passionate thinkers, doers, and problem-solvers who share our vision that big challenges are big opportunities for change. Visit www.forteraglobal.com for more information.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Research Scientist with specialized knowledge in wet chemistry. This is a dedicated, hands-on laboratory role for a scientist who is passionate about executing research on the lab bench driven by new scientific discoveries. As a senior member of our R&D team, you will be a technical leader and a mentor to other research staff, setting an example through your direct involvement in all stages of lab work.

Your primary focus will be to lead and conduct laboratory research, development, and optimization of wet chemistry processes to produce high-quality calcium carbonate materials. You will be expected to thrive in a lab setting, meticulously developing new methodologies and troubleshooting complex challenges.

While close collaboration with teams such as engineering will be needed to scale-up processes, your core responsibility is to drive innovation and development from the lab bench. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of successful lab-scale development and a strong desire to remain a hands-on contributor.

This role is for a scientist whose career fulfillment comes from the pursuit of knowledge and the success of their experiments. We value the technical expertise and mentorship that a dedicated lab scientist brings to our team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process Development and Optimization: Personally lead and execute the design, development, and optimization of wet chemistry processes in the lab. Apply your deep, hands-on understanding of precipitation, crystallization, and purification techniques to enhance process efficiency, product quality, and yield. Identify and implement process improvements directly on the lab bench based on your own scientific analysis and experimental results.
• Lab-Driven Research and Innovation: Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements. Drive research initiatives from the laboratory to develop novel methodologies and explore new materials. Your work will directly inform solutions that address customer requirements and market demands. You will be a primary contributor in translating laboratory-scale processes into larger-scale production.
• Experimental Design and Execution: Directly plan and meticulously execute laboratory-scale experiments to validate process hypotheses and troubleshoot process-related issues. Develop and utilize robust experimental protocols, and apply data-driven approaches to extract valuable insights. Your work will serve as a benchmark for experimental rigor for the rest of the research team.
• Technical Data Analysis and Mentorship: Analyze your own experimental data and process parameters to identify trends and critical variables. Use mathematical and statistical techniques to optimize parameters and predict outcomes. You will mentor other research staff on how to effectively analyze data and translate it into actionable insights.
• Collaboration and Technical Communication: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers and researchers, to ensure effective integration of wet chemistry processes. Communicate your research findings and technical recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Lab Safety Leadership: Act as a leader in lab safety and environmental compliance. Ensure that all wet chemistry processes and associated equipment under your guidance meet all regulatory requirements and safety standards. You will set a strong example for maintaining a safe and organized lab environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Materials Engineering or Chemistry. A Master's degree is preferred but not required.
• Hands-on Work Experience: 10+ years of direct, hands-on experience in a laboratory work setting. This experience should be focused on the development, optimization, and scale-up of wet chemistry processes.
• Expert-level, practical knowledge of wet chemistry processes, including precipitation, crystallization, and purification techniques. An emphasis on calcium carbonate materials is preferred but not required.
• A proven track record of personally executing and leading complex scientific projects. This includes meticulous experimental design, data analysis, and modeling.
• Experience in the processing and manufacturing of chemicals.
• A deep understanding of the technical challenges of scaling processes from lab to pilot to commercial production.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior research staff.
• The capability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams, with a focus on providing technical guidance to engineers and researchers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to diagnose and solve complex technical issues in the lab.
• Effective communication skills for conveying technical data and findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A strong focus on lab safety and environmental compliance.

COMPENSATION:

The compensation package for this role includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience with a range of $130,000 - $155,000 as well as an annual bonus and pre-IPO incentive stock options.

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

We know that happy employees are productive employees, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 100% company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability coverages for employees
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Tax deferred & Roth 401k
• Paid vacation days (increased with tenure), 12 paid holidays, and unlimited PTO for exempt employees.

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

We know that happy employees are productive employees, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 100% company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability coverages for employees
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Tax deferred & Roth 401k
• Paid vacation days (increased with tenure), 12 paid holidays, and unlimited PTO for exempt employees.

Fortera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by applicable law. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.