At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the chemistry programme to develop innovative processes for geothermal energy.
- Company: Exciting deep tech startup focused on clean energy and critical minerals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, founding equity, and a chance to shape the company culture.
- Other info: Be part of a small, high-trust team with significant growth potential.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering team and make a real impact in the geothermal industry.
- Qualifications: PhD in chemistry or related field with strong experimental skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Deep tech startup unlocking stranded geothermal energy and critical minerals in London (on-site) | Full-time | £50–70k salary + founding equity
Our Mission
Drilling advances are unlocking access worldwide to the Earth’s inner heat, creating the possibility for clean 24/7 power at civilisational scale. However, the geothermal industry is still constrained by the chemistry of the fluids it brings to the surface. Today, plant operators are forced to reinject brines early to protect infrastructure from severe silica scaling, leaving usable energy and dissolved critical minerals out of reach. We raised £2 million to develop a silica removal retrofit module to boost geothermal power generation and create cleaner brines for co-production of energy and critical minerals from the same wells.
Bring your talent to help create a new category of geothermal operations, built not just to survive brine chemistry but to master it.
Your Role
As the Founding Scientist, you will lead the chemistry programme from day one. Your mission will be to develop a recoverable process that selectively removes silica from hot geothermal brines, forming the scientific foundation for our first product and IP. You will work directly alongside the founder CEO and a process engineer to translate your results into continuous-flow prototypes and, ultimately, a pilot skid to be deployed at real power plants across Europe. Beyond developing the chemistry, you will generate data to secure pilot customers, de-risk the transition from lab to field, and join team trips to collect and test samples under live geothermal conditions.
This is a founding role: we want someone who can work independently within a very small team, move fast under uncertainty, and prioritise viable outcomes that bring us closer to real-world operations over perfect experiments.
Who we are looking for
An ambitious scientist whose technical rigour is matched by the drive to turn lab results into commercial technology. Someone excited to build a company from its earliest days, work at the frontier of geothermal operations, and help reshape how clean energy and critical minerals are produced worldwide. Ideally, you have:
- A PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or closely related field, with proven ability to solve hard applied chemistry problems in aqueous real-world systems.
- Grounding in one or more of: silica chemistry, mineral precipitation, flocculation, polymer or surface chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, water treatment, brine processing, or hydrometallurgy.
- Strong experimental and analytical chemistry skills, including the ability to design systematic experiments, build reliable assays, and interpret messy data without overfitting.
- Practical judgement around real-world process constraints, from recoverability and residual chemistry to operating windows, failure modes, and scale-up risk.
Why join us
- Shape the company: Join early enough to shape the science, product, and culture with a path to leadership as we grow.
- Geothermal access: Operators, advisors from leading geothermal companies and investors with strong industrial networks.
- Physical impact: Build technology that leaves the lab: from real brine tests and customer pilots to adoption by geothermal plants.
- Founding team: Work in a small, high-trust founding team with the ambition to build something that does not exist yet.
Are you an exceptional scientist ready to build this company from the ground up? Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates under appropriate confidentiality.
Founding Scientist in London employer: firstmomentum12
Join a pioneering deep tech startup in London, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of geothermal energy and critical minerals. As a Founding Scientist, you'll work closely with a small, dedicated team, driving innovation from the lab to real-world applications while enjoying a culture that values independence and rapid progress. With competitive salary and equity options, this role offers not just a job, but a chance to make a significant impact in the clean energy sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Scientist in London
✨Get Involved in the Chemistry Community
Engage with local chemistry societies and attend their events. Whether it's a conference or a seminar, these gatherings can be gold mines for networking and spotting job openings at companies like firstmomentum12. Plus, being face-to-face with industry professionals can leave a lasting impression!
✨Utilise Online Platforms for Chemistry Jobs
Don’t just rely on mainstream job boards. Sites like Chemistry World and Chemjobs are specifically geared for our field. Set up alerts for new openings at places like firstmomentum12 to be the first to apply!
✨Showcase Your Research & Projects
Create a professional online portfolio that highlights your chemistry projects or research. This could be a blog or a simple website that showcases your skills and experience. When you apply to firstmomentum12, you want them to see what you can do beyond the CV.
✨Connect With Recruiters Specialised in Chemistry
Reach out to recruitment agencies that focus on the chemistry sector. They often have inside tracks on job openings at companies like firstmomentum12 and can provide valuable advice tailored to full-time roles in our industry. Don't be shy to ask for insights!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Scientist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:When applying for a chemistry position, make sure to highlight any lab experience you've got. Mention specific techniques and instruments you've worked with, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For us, demonstrating your practical skills is as important as your theoretical knowledge!
Tailor Your CV to Chemistry:It's essential to structure your CV in a way that’s appealing for a chemistry role. Highlight relevant projects, research publications, and coursework that demonstrate your expertise. If you’ve completed specific certifications, make sure to list those as well—they can really boost your chances!
Craft a Chemistry-Focused Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your enthusiasm for the field of chemistry and why you want to work at firstmomentum12. Talk about any research or projects that inspire you, and express your willingness to contribute to the team. We love seeing genuine passion for chemistry in applications!
Include Relevant References:Since chemistry roles can be quite specific, having reference letters from professors or previous employers in the field can be a huge plus. Make sure to include contacts who can vouch for your skills and dedication, as it adds credibility to your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at firstmomentum12
✨Know Your Experiments
Get ready to chat about your hands-on experience in the lab. We should be prepared to discuss specific experiments we've conducted, the results, and any challenges we faced. This shows them we don't just know the theory but can apply it in practice!
✨Master the Technical Speak
Brush up on the relevant terminology and concepts in chemistry. Make sure we can discuss different chemical processes, analytical techniques, and safety protocols fluently, as they might throw some technical questions our way. Being precise and confident can really set us apart!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make a portfolio showcasing our best lab work and any research projects we've been involved in. It's a great way to demonstrate our skills and passion for chemistry. We should tailor it to highlight the aspects most relevant to firstmomentum12 and the Founding Scientist role.
✨Be Ready for Problem Solving
Expect some scenario-based questions where we might need to solve chemical problems on the spot. They could ask about unexpected results or how to improve a process. Let's practice thinking on our feet and explaining our thought process clearly!
