MOF Synthesis & Polymer-Integration Scientist in Birmingham

aqueris™ is a leading innovator in advanced sorbent materials and system‑level solutions for industrial water harvesting and moisture management applications. Our mission is to enable sustainable, energy‑efficient, and resilient industrial operations through state‑of‑the‑art Metal‑Organic Framework (MOF) technology. Partnering with OEMs and industry leaders, we integrate MOF‑based solutions into applications such as dehumidification, compressed air drying, and environmental control. As we transition from R&D to commercial deployment, we focus on commercializing high‑impact MOFs, collaborating on technical validation, and delivering measurable industrial value in efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability.

We are seeking an experienced MOF Synthesis and Polymer Integration Chemist to lead the design, synthesis, structural characterization, and application‑driven integration of novel metal‑organic framework materials. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in developing new MOF structures, understanding MOF formation mechanisms during reaction, and integrating MOFs into polymeric binders, coatings, membranes, films, fibers, or other substrates for practical applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and synthesize novel MOF structures with tailored pore size, chemistry, stability, and functionality for target applications.
• Design reaction pathways and optimize synthesis conditions, including metal nodes, organic linkers, solvents, modulators, temperature, concentration, pH, reaction time, and post‑synthetic modification.
• Investigate and explain MOF formation mechanisms, including nucleation, crystal growth, coordination chemistry, phase evolution, defect formation, and structure‑property relationships.
• Characterize MOF materials using techniques such as PXRD, single‑crystal XRD where applicable, SEM/TEM, BET surface area analysis, TGA, DSC, FTIR, Raman, NMR, XPS, ICP, and adsorption/desorption measurements.
• Identify and develop MOF structures suitable for different applications, such as gas separation, adsorption, catalysis, sensing, water treatment, energy storage, controlled release, or protective materials.
• Integrate MOFs with polymer systems, binders, membranes, coatings, adhesives, textiles, films, foams, or porous substrates while preserving MOF porosity and functionality.
• Formulate MOF‑polymer composites with controlled loading, dispersion, adhesion, mechanical strength, permeability, stability, and processability.
• Develop scalable methods for applying MOFs onto or into substrates, including casting, dip coating, spray coating, electrospinning, extrusion, printing, impregnation, or in‑situ growth.
• Evaluate how polymer binders, solvents, additives, and processing conditions affect MOF crystal structure, accessibility, and performance.
• Collaborate with application, engineering, and product teams to translate MOF materials from lab‑scale synthesis to functional prototypes.
• Prepare technical reports, experimental protocols, invention disclosures, patents, and scientific publications.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong hands‑on experience in MOF synthesis, crystal engineering, and structure determination.
• Deep understanding of coordination chemistry, MOF nucleation and growth mechanisms, and structure‑property relationships.
• Experience with MOF‑polymer composites, polymer binders, coatings, membranes, or substrate integration.
• Ability to characterize porous materials and interpret structural, thermal, morphological, and adsorption data.
• Experience optimizing materials for application‑specific performance.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to design experiments independently.