Job Description
Material Chemist (Lead — CO₂ Mineralisation & Scale-Up)
Location: Nottingham
Start Date: Immediate
Compensation: Competitive salary + meaningful equity + performance bonus
Contract: Full-time
Visa Sponsorship: Available for the right candidate
Build Something That Shouldn’t Exist
At Vateris, we are not improving materials — we are reinventing how they are made.
We convert CO₂ and industrial waste into high-performance materials that permanently lock carbon into mineral form, reduce cement use by 20–30%, and create new value streams across construction and fertiliser markets.
This is not theoretical. We have proven the chemistry, scaled the system 10×, built and are commissioning a pilot plant using real flue gas, and are moving toward industrial deployment (100×–1000× scale).
Backed by global industry leaders and preparing for our next major funding round, this is a pivotal moment to join.
The Role — Own the Material System
We are hiring a Material Chemist who will take end-to-end ownership of the chemistry and material system — from reaction design to industrial deployment.
This role is not about publishing research. It is about making chemistry work under real-world constraints.
What You Will Do
* Scientific Ownership
* Design and optimise reaction systems, crystallisation pathways, and kinetics
* Develop high-performance materials for SCM and additive applications
* Solve challenges around impurities, variability, and scale
* Scale-Up & Deployment
* Translate lab results into pilot-scale and industrial processes
* Support pilot plant commissioning and optimisation
* Define inputs for engineering and process scale-up
* Structured R&D
* Design experiments with clear objectives and success criteria
* Eliminate open-ended or non-commercial work
* Implement robust data, analytics, and decision-making frameworks
* Leadership & Execution
* Mentor and guide scientists and technicians
* Drive accountability, pace, and delivery
* Work closely with engineering and concrete teams
* Communication
* Present results to leadership, investors, and partners
* Translate complex chemistry into clear, actionable insights
Requirements (Non-Negotiable)
* PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field
* 8+ years experience in inorganic/material systems
* Proven track record of taking technology from lab to pilot scale (TRL 4–7)
* Strong hands-on experimental capability
* Deep experience with analytical techniques (XRD, XRF, SEM, etc.)
* Experience leading or mentoring technical teams
* Ability to operate in a fast-moving, high-pressure startup environment
Strong Advantages
* Cement chemistry, SCMs, or CO₂ mineralisation
* Crystallisation, mineral processing, or CCU systems
* Concrete mix design and testing
* Understanding of LCA, EPDs, and environmental impact
* Experience in grant-funded or collaborative R&D
What This Role Is Not
* Academic or curiosity-driven research
* Slow, exploratory R&D without clear outcomes
* A narrow or siloed laboratory role
What This Role Is
* High ownership
* High expectations
* Direct impact on industrial deployment
You will be working on a system that can permanently remove CO₂, change how concrete is produced globally, and enable new circular material economies.
What We Offer
* Meaningful equity and performance-based upside
* Opportunity to build and scale a world-first technology
* Direct involvement in pilot and industrial deployment
* A team focused on execution, not theory
* Private health insurance, pension, and competitive leave
Final Note
We are not hiring based on CVs alone.
We are looking for someone who takes ownership, solves hard problems quickly, and delivers under constraints.
If that sounds like you — apply.