Climeworks is a leading high-quality carbon removal provider, combining decades of expertise in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology with a holistic approach to carbon removal solutions. Climeworks advises companies on their carbon removal strategies and provides tailored portfolios of nature-based and engineered approaches, offering end-to-end services to help achieve net‑zero goals. The company runs the world's first two DAC plants in Iceland, demonstrating its core commitment to high‑quality carbon removal that is backed by over 15 years of pioneering research, development, and deployment. By advancing the most reliable solutions in the market, Climeworks accelerates the global transition to net‑zero, unlocking economic value for businesses, governments, and society. We foster a dynamic environment and are building a global purpose‑driven team. We are looking for disruptive thinkers, passionate achievers, and inspiring leaders ready to take on the world’s greatest challenge. Will you join us?
Job description In this role, you will apply deep synthetic chemistry expertise to design, synthesize, and evaluate next‑generation sorbent materials for Direct Air Capture. You will take scientific ownership of early‑stage material innovation, connect synthesis decisions with performance data, and help identify the most promising sorbent concepts for further development. You will play a central role in coordinating across stakeholders to ensure alignment of research priorities, technical development, and broader organization goals. The role is ideal for a hands‑on chemist who enjoys driving technical work independently while collaborating closely with experts across characterization, engineering, scale‑up, legal, and external innovation.
This Role Is a Strong Fit If You
You are a hands‑on synthetic chemist, ideally with experience in material synthesis or functional material development.
You enjoy working as an individual contributor and technical expert, while effectively coordinating with cross‑functional stakeholders.
You want to stay close to lab‑based experimentation, synthesis, characterization, and scientific problem‑solving.
You are motivated by early‑stage R&D and material innovation, with a passion for dynamic, discovery‑driven environments.
What You Will Do
Design and synthesize new sorbent materials, improving sorbent chemistries for Direct Air Capture with focus on performance, durability, cost, and scalability.
Evaluate material performance by planning experiments, analyzing characterization and adsorption data, and connecting synthesis decisions with structure‑property relationships.
Identify promising concepts by screening internal and external sorbent ideas against clear technical, commercial, regulatory, scalability, and IP‑related criteria.
Drive hands‑on laboratory work, running safe, well‑documented synthesis and testing campaigns, maintaining structured material data, and translating results into recommendations.
Collaborate and coordinate across disciplines, working closely with experts in characterization, engineering, scale‑up, legal, patents, and external innovation to move the most promising concepts forward.
Job Requirements
Extensive synthetic chemistry expertise: strong hands‑on experience in synthetic organic or inorganic chemistry, especially with porous, functionalized, polymeric, or amine‑based materials; experience with other sorbent‑relevant materials is a plus.
At least 5 years of experience in synthetic chemistry, material synthesis, or material development, including applied R&D, start‑up, industrial, or technology development.
Advanced degree in organic, inorganic, synthetic, materials chemistry or a related field; PhD is a plus.
Scientific ownership, comfortable leading workstreams, interpreting data critically, and translating findings into clear recommendations.
Clear communication skills with technical and non‑technical stakeholders; proficiency in English.
Our promise All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of background, identity, or experience.
What We Offer
Time Off: 25 paid vacation days per year plus public holidays.
Flexibility: Hybrid work setup and up to four weeks of remote work annually within any EU country.
Ownership: Fair base pay paired with an equity package.
Family Support: Inclusive parental leave.
Continuous Learning: Dedicated budget for professional growth.
Referral Rewards: Bonuses for successful referrals.
Salary At Climeworks, salary ranges are set based on the level of seniority and local market median. Individual compensation depends on skills, experience, and value to the team.
Formalities
Position is based in Opfikon, Zurich; onsite work at least three days per week is required.
Title flexibility allows for full‑time or part‑time based on preference.
Recruitment agencies are not accepted.
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Job description In this role, you will apply deep synthetic chemistry expertise to design, synthesize, and evaluate next‑generation sorbent materials for Direct Air Capture. You will take scientific ownership of early‑stage material innovation, connect synthesis decisions with performance data, and help identify the most promising sorbent concepts for further development. You will play a central role in coordinating across stakeholders to ensure alignment of research priorities, technical development, and broader organization goals. The role is ideal for a hands‑on chemist who enjoys driving technical work independently while collaborating closely with experts across characterization, engineering, scale‑up, legal, and external innovation.
This Role Is a Strong Fit If You
You are a hands‑on synthetic chemist, ideally with experience in material synthesis or functional material development.
You enjoy working as an individual contributor and technical expert, while effectively coordinating with cross‑functional stakeholders.
You want to stay close to lab‑based experimentation, synthesis, characterization, and scientific problem‑solving.
You are motivated by early‑stage R&D and material innovation, with a passion for dynamic, discovery‑driven environments.
What You Will Do
Design and synthesize new sorbent materials, improving sorbent chemistries for Direct Air Capture with focus on performance, durability, cost, and scalability.
Evaluate material performance by planning experiments, analyzing characterization and adsorption data, and connecting synthesis decisions with structure‑property relationships.
Identify promising concepts by screening internal and external sorbent ideas against clear technical, commercial, regulatory, scalability, and IP‑related criteria.
Drive hands‑on laboratory work, running safe, well‑documented synthesis and testing campaigns, maintaining structured material data, and translating results into recommendations.
Collaborate and coordinate across disciplines, working closely with experts in characterization, engineering, scale‑up, legal, patents, and external innovation to move the most promising concepts forward.
Job Requirements
Extensive synthetic chemistry expertise: strong hands‑on experience in synthetic organic or inorganic chemistry, especially with porous, functionalized, polymeric, or amine‑based materials; experience with other sorbent‑relevant materials is a plus.
At least 5 years of experience in synthetic chemistry, material synthesis, or material development, including applied R&D, start‑up, industrial, or technology development.
Advanced degree in organic, inorganic, synthetic, materials chemistry or a related field; PhD is a plus.
Scientific ownership, comfortable leading workstreams, interpreting data critically, and translating findings into clear recommendations.
Clear communication skills with technical and non‑technical stakeholders; proficiency in English.
Our promise All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of background, identity, or experience.
What We Offer
Time Off: 25 paid vacation days per year plus public holidays.
Flexibility: Hybrid work setup and up to four weeks of remote work annually within any EU country.
Ownership: Fair base pay paired with an equity package.
Family Support: Inclusive parental leave.
Continuous Learning: Dedicated budget for professional growth.
Referral Rewards: Bonuses for successful referrals.
Salary At Climeworks, salary ranges are set based on the level of seniority and local market median. Individual compensation depends on skills, experience, and value to the team.
Formalities
Position is based in Opfikon, Zurich; onsite work at least three days per week is required.
Title flexibility allows for full‑time or part‑time based on preference.
Recruitment agencies are not accepted.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Synthetic Chemist – Sorbent Innovation Lead (80–100%) Arbeitgeber: Climeworks
Climeworks ist ein hervorragender Arbeitgeber, der eine inklusive und wertschätzende Arbeitsumgebung bietet, in der jeder Mitarbeiter geschätzt wird. Mit 25 bezahlten Urlaubstagen, einem fairen Gehalt und einem Budget für kontinuierliches Lernen unterstützt das Unternehmen die persönliche und berufliche Entwicklung seiner Mitarbeiter. Zudem haben Sie die Möglichkeit, in einer Schlüsselrolle zur Sicherheit und Effizienz an unserem Hauptsitz in Opfikon beizutragen und dabei aktiv an der Lösung einer der größten Herausforderungen der Menschheit mitzuwirken.
