Location: Science Creates OMX, Bristol, UK
Type: Full-time
Salary: Competitive salary + equity options
Ever wondered what it's really like to build a startup? Here's your chance to find out and help bring a completely new way of generating electricity to the world.
About Bactery
Bactery makes electricity from soil.
We're pioneering a new class of bacteria-powered batteries that harness naturally occurring soil microorganisms to generate continuous electricity. Buried underground, our technology can power devices day and night, without sunlight or regular battery replacement.
What started as a research project has become a venture-backed deep-tech startup, with technology already deployed in the field and growing commercial opportunities across agriculture, environmental monitoring and utilities.
Backed by investors including SOSV and Tilia Impact Ventures, we're an ambitious team based at Science Creates in Bristol, working to bring soil-powered energy to the world.
The opportunity
We're looking for an exceptional Founder Associate to work directly with Dr Jakub Dziegielowski, Bactery's Founder & CEO, and help build the next stage of the company.
This isn't a traditional support role. You'll get a front-row seat to building a venture-backed startup, with genuine responsibility for making things happen.
You'll work across commercial development, strategic partnerships, fundraising, strategy and operations, taking ownership of projects from initial idea through to execution.
One week you might be developing a commercial opportunity with an international partner. The next, exploring a new market, preparing investor materials or finding yourself digging a hole in a field somewhere.
You'll have the freedom to think independently, challenge assumptions and drive decisions. We're looking for someone who doesn't just identify what needs doing, but figures out how to get it done.
What you'll do
- Drive commercial opportunities: Help develop partnerships, customer relationships, proposals and pilot programmes, turning promising conversations into pilots, partnerships and revenue opportunities.
- Shape our strategy: Research markets, evaluate business models, analyse opportunities and help determine where Bactery should focus next.
- Support fundraising and investors: Work on investor communications, financial analysis, fundraising materials and grant opportunities.
- Own important projects: Take responsibility for initiatives across the business, coordinating people, solving problems and delivering results.
- Help build the company: Develop the processes, systems and ways of working that will support Bactery as we grow.
The scope will evolve as the company grows. Some projects will be strategic, others hands-on. You'll be expected to take ownership of both.
Who we’re looking for
You’ll ideally have 2-4 years of experience in a startup, consulting, venture capital, finance, business development or another commercially focused environment.
We’re particularly interested in people who:
- Think like founders: You're entrepreneurial, proactive and comfortable taking responsibility.
- Get things done: You can take an ambiguous challenge, work out what matters and deliver without constant supervision.
- Have strong commercial instincts: You understand how businesses work and can spot opportunities worth pursuing.
- Are analytical and articulate: You solve problems logically, communicate clearly and can turn complex information into compelling recommendations.
- Thrive in fast-moving environments: You're resourceful, adaptable and excited by learning something new every day.
You don't need a scientific background or a particular degree. We're much more interested in what you've achieved, how you think and what you're capable of.
What you’ll get
- Work directly with the founder: Learn firsthand what it takes to build and scale a venture-backed company.
- Real ownership: Lead meaningful projects and see the direct impact of your work.
- Exceptional exposure: Gain experience across fundraising, commercial strategy, international partnerships and company building.
- Room to grow: The potential to develop into a leadership role in commercial development, partnerships, strategy or operations as Bactery scales.
- A genuinely exciting mission: Help bring a new energy technology from early commercial deployments to global adoption.
We're a small team with big ambitions. Things move quickly, priorities change and there's no established playbook for everything we're trying to achieve.
If you're excited by the idea of helping build a company from the ground up... quite literally... we'd love to hear from you.
Founder Associate employer: Bactery
Bactery is an innovative employer at the forefront of energy technology, offering a unique opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that harness the power of soil bacteria for sustainable energy solutions. Located in Bristol, our dynamic startup environment fosters a culture of scientific rigour and rapid experimentation, where employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work and contribute to meaningful advancements in electrochemical technology. With a focus on personal growth and collaboration, Bactery provides a supportive atmosphere for engineers and scientists to thrive while making a tangible impact on the future of energy.
