Senior Research Scientist
Aepnus Technologies
On-site • Oakland, CA, United States • Full-time • $130,000-$170,000 Annual Salary
Who We Are
Aepnus Technology is a pioneering U.S.-based climate tech startup, backed by top-tier climate venture capital firms, including Clean Energy Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital and Voyager. We are at the forefront of developing technologies that enable electrified, sustainable, and domestic production of critical materials.
Our initial mission is ambitious: transforming chemical waste from the battery sector into valuable commodity chemicals. But we’re not stopping there. Our long-term vision is to expand our electrolysis platform to produce a wide range of industrial chemicals, driving a 50 million-ton annual reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Aepnus is growing rapidly and is building a team of smart, driven, curious and passionate people who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and are motivated to create positive change.
What You’ll Do
Are you an intrinsically motivated scientist with a passion for innovation and hands-on problem-solving? Aepnus Technology is seeking a dynamic Senior Research Scientist to join our team. In this role, you'll play a critical part in driving the development, optimization, and execution of research plans that power our cutting-edge electrochemical technologies. We're looking for a dedicated talent with expertise in electrochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field and a proven track record of managing industrial research projects in a lab setting.
As part of our small and agile team, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact. You'll work closely with our engineering, operations, and leadership teams to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of key milestones. This role offers a unique blend of responsibilities, including designing experiments, developing SOPs, leading lab-scale research projects, troubleshooting experiments, and mentoring the team in best practices for experimental research, data collection, analysis, and reporting. You'll also be actively involved in hands-on experimentation and technology development making this a highly dynamic and rewarding position.
Primary Responsibilities:
Develop and execute research plans to achieve technical milestones aligned with Aepnus’ strategic goals.
Design and conduct electrochemical experiments to maximize throughput and speed, ensuring rapid data acquisition and actionable insights.
Design, characterize, and test electrode materials, electrolytes, and membranes to optimize performance, durability, and lifespan.
Perform failure mode analyses using spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, and other analytical techniques relevant to electrochemical systems.
Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for experimental setups and laboratory operations.
Oversee daily laboratory operations, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and quality standards.
Mentor and guide team members on best practices for research methodologies, data collection, and analysis.
Analyze experimental data, extract actionable insights, and prepare detailed technical reports for both internal and external stakeholders.
Troubleshoot and resolve experimental challenges in collaboration with the technical team.
Contribute to hands-on experimentation and provide support to laboratory staff as needed.
Organize and maintain accurate documentation of research activities, experimental designs, and results.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering and leadership, to ensure alignment with project objectives and timely delivery of milestones.
Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
5+ years of experience in a research-focused role, including lab-scale experimentation.
Demonstrated expertise in designing, building, and testing electrochemical cells or reactors, with precision in experimental execution, data analysis, and documentation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of deriving meaningful insights from complex datasets.
Exceptional organizational and planning skills to manage multiple projects and prioritize competing deadlines.
Proven leadership skills, including mentoring and guiding teams in a lab setting.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and troubleshooting experimental setups.
High attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate, thorough documentation.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with electrolysis, electrochemical process development, or industrial electrochemical systems.
Familiarity with scale-up processes, including transitioning lab-scale research into pilot-scale and commercial-scale applications.
Knowledge of materials characterization techniques, such as SEM, XRD, and EIS.
Understanding of regulatory standards and safety requirements for industrial chemical research.
Experience working in a startup environment or within small, cross-functional teams.
Strong strategic thinking skills to support long-term research and development planning.
Passion for sustainability and a commitment to making a tangible impact in decarbonizing the chemical industry.
Compensation & Benefits
100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees
401(k) plan and additional retirement benefits
Flexible vacation policy, mental health days, generous sick leave, and a week-long winter break in December
Why Aepnus?
At Aepnus, you'll collaborate with bright, driven individuals dedicated to solving some of the most significant challenges of our time. Here’s what we offer:
A Front-Row Seat in Climate Tech Innovation: Be part of our pioneering team, working closely with our founders and scientific advisors to scale groundbreaking technologies that will shape the future. Your contributions will play a key role in bringing these innovations to market.
Rapid Growth and Advancement Opportunities: As we expand, so will your career. You'll have the chance to take on new responsibilities, grow professionally, and help us achieve our vision for a sustainable future.
Competitive Compensation and Benefits: We believe in work-life balance and supporting our team. Enjoy competitive pay, equity, flexible vacation policies, comprehensive health insurance, and other perks designed to keep you happy and motivated.
A Dynamic, Fast-Paced Work Environment: Help build Aepnus from the ground up in an exciting environment where every day presents new challenges and opportunities to make a real impact in the energy industry.
A Culture of Passion and Possibility: Join a community of curious and motivated individuals, all driven by a shared commitment to creating positive change.