At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of scientists to develop groundbreaking energy-harvesting technology.
- Company: IONECH, a pioneering energy hardware start-up in Harwell, Oxfordshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Work in a cutting-edge lab with direct influence on scientific direction.
- Why this job: Join a world-first project that could revolutionise energy use across industries.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience in experimental design and systems modelling.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.
This is the lead scientific seat in a highly-qualified technical team. You own the system energy ledger, the experimental programme, and the judgement calls that determine what we build next. IONECH is a seed-stage energy hardware start-up based at Harwell, Oxfordshire. We are developing the Air Voltaic (AV) Cell, an energy-harvesting device that uses controlled interactions between electrons and oxygen in air to capture subtle natural differences in the environment, converting available exergy into electrical power. At scale, it sits at the base of the energy stack: a platform power source that reduces grid dependence across virtually every electrical use case. We are a team working on a scientific world-first. We are closing the remaining questions and building prototypes that will disrupt every industry that uses electricity. This role exists to lead that transition from science to engineering. We are looking for someone confident moving at pace through ambiguity. If you need full system understanding before you commit to a first experiment, this is not the role for you. You form working hypotheses fast, test them, and call it when the data lands.
The role
You will report to the Managing Director and work alongside the Head of Engineering. Engineering owns system design, integration, and build. You own the scientific programme: what gets tested, how it is validated, and when the evidence is sufficient to commit. You will lead a science team of four PhD physicists and chemists with more hires to follow, and you will spend most of your time in the laboratory, not at a desk.
- System energy ledger
- Own and maintain the formal ledger, integrating modelling outputs, experimental data, and hardware constraints
- Keep science and engineering accountable to the same thermodynamic reality
- Flag anomalies early, with clear programme implications
- Experimental direction
- Define the shortest credible path from current state to industrial prototype, with explicit success and failure criteria at every stage
- Ensure every experiment maps to a specific programme decision
- Design experiments that isolate variables and test system-level hypotheses, not only component performance
- Call time on avenues that are not earning their keep
- Scientific validity
- Define what must be proven, what must be measured, and what constitutes sufficient evidence
- Hold the line against unsupported claims and invalid interpretations
- Retain sign-off on the scientific integrity of results, while deferring to engineering on hardware integration and build sequencing
- Team leadership
- Lead and develop the science team with clear roles, ownership, and performance expectations
- Identify capability gaps and drive recruitment to close them
- Flourish in a culture of rigorous empiricism and intellectual honesty
- Cross-disciplinary integration and communication
- Translate experimental findings into actionable inputs for engineering
- Contribute to system-level architecture reviews with scientific assessment of proposed directions
- Translate scientific progress into clear, defensible narratives for the MD, investors, and external partners
- Contribute to IP documentation, technical reports, and publications
What we are looking for
You will need:
- A PhD in physics, engineering, materials science, electrochemistry, or a closely related discipline
- Demonstrated experience in systems modelling and system-level energy balance
- A track record of experimental design and hypothesis-driven hardware development
- Strong thermodynamic literacy
- Experience leading and developing small, multidisciplinary scientific teams
- Comfort making direction calls on incomplete data
- Highly organised, with brevity and precision in written and verbal communication.
You will stand out if you have:
- Hands-on experience with electron field emission, cold cathode systems, or high-field environments
- Experience in electrochemistry, reactive oxygen species environments, or related surface and chemical systems
- Experience using AI tools to accelerate hardware development cycles, surface failure modes early, and maintain momentum without sacrificing rigour
- Experience taking hardware through TRL gates under real-world constraints, not solely research-grade demonstrations
What we offer
- Salary from £70,000, dependent on experience
- Equity through our ESOP scheme, so you share in what we are building
- Private medical healthcare for you and your family
- Company pension
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- A well-equipped lab at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, a serious technical environment with the infrastructure to match the ambition
- Direct line to the MD and genuine influence over the scientific direction of the company
How to apply
Send your CV and a covering letter (one page maximum) explaining why this problem interests you and which parts of your experience are most relevant to the essential criteria. We read every application. We do not use screening software.
Head of Science employer: Ionech
IONECH is an exceptional employer for those passionate about pioneering energy solutions, offering a unique opportunity to lead a talented team in a cutting-edge laboratory at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. With a competitive salary starting from £70,000, equity options, and comprehensive benefits including private medical healthcare and a generous holiday allowance, we foster a culture of rigorous empiricism and intellectual honesty, empowering our employees to make impactful contributions to the future of energy technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Science
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s projects and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how your skills can contribute to their groundbreaking work.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the role of Head of Science. Keep it concise but impactful—highlight your leadership skills and your ability to thrive in ambiguity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our innovative team at IONECH.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Science
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Keep it to one page and make sure to explain why the Head of Science role excites you. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our mission at IONECH.
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job description. We want to see how your background fits into our vision for the Air Voltaic Cell.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and get to the point quickly. We appreciate brevity and precision in communication, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands. Plus, we read every application ourselves, so you won’t get lost in the shuffle!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ionech
✨Know Your Science Inside Out
As the Head of Science, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of your field. Brush up on your PhD research and be ready to discuss how it relates to the Air Voltaic Cell. Prepare to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to communicate effectively with both scientific and engineering teams.
✨Prepare for Hypothesis-Driven Discussions
This role requires quick thinking and the ability to form working hypotheses. Think about potential experiments you could propose and the data you would need to validate them. Be ready to discuss how you would approach experimental design and what success criteria you would set.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a team of PhD physicists and chemists, so highlight your experience in team leadership. Prepare examples of how you've developed teams, identified capability gaps, and driven recruitment. Discuss your approach to fostering a culture of rigorous empiricism and intellectual honesty.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
Given the emphasis on clear communication in this role, practice summarising your thoughts succinctly. Prepare to articulate your vision for the scientific programme and how it aligns with the company's goals. Be ready to translate complex scientific findings into actionable insights for stakeholders.
