R&D Engineer (Kilolab Chemistry)

Who we are

Syntetica is an early-stage startup using green chemistry to make synthetic textiles sustainable. Starting with nylon.

Today, less than 1% of textile waste is recycled to produce new materials. Syntetica is on a mission to eradicate crude oil from synthetic textiles. We are creating a world in which the waste we generate is seamlessly recycled into new materials serving the fashion & automotive textile industries, making net zero an achievable reality.

And our starting material is nylon. Our nylon depolymerization process is the first of its kind, breaking down all nylon rich textile waste into circular virgin-equivalent nylon monomers, and separating materials such as elastane, cotton and polyester. We are backed by Europe's largest investment fund, EQT Ventures, having raised €4.2m in July 2024 to scale our process to pilot and produce the first samples for our customers including Victoria's Secret and ETAM.

Job Description

You will play a pivotal role in transforming our groundbreaking technology to an outstanding ready to scale process with high quality recycled nylon output for our customers. Your role will be to translate process and product development breakthroughs from lab to kilo-lab scale (from grams to kilograms) to validate engineering design choices and modelled unit economics with the process development team to maximise process scalability.

R&D Kilolab Chemistry

• Set-up and monitor large scale depolymerisation, separation and purification reactions for customer sample development
• Characterization of monomer and polymers properties (NMR, DSC, TGA, rheology, etc) to ensure product development is consistent as process development evolves.
• Maintenance of chemical reactors of 10-50L including including applying rigorous HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) practices and support quality control procedures.

Process Development & Engineering

• Contribute to process development across all stages of our process, working alongside the engineering team, with work modelled directly into Aspen and Process Flow Diagrams.
• Process optimisation including screening of new conditions, experimental design, and scale-up for more efficient unit economics and better scalability.

Required Background

• Master’s degree or plus in Chemical engineering, Chemistry or Materials Science with a strong technical background in organic chemistry.
• 3+ years experience in chemical process development within fast moving environments connected to R&D in industrial companies or startups

Required skills

• High technical skills with conducting organic chemical reactions on reactors of >5L, experience with process scale-up is a plus
• Demonstrated autonomy and initiative in projects, with a track record of owning the delivery of results in dynamic, fast-paced environments, knowledge of green chemistry or sustainable materials is a plus
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly grasp complex concepts and adapt to new challenges
• Fluent in English and French is a must , with impeccable oral and written skills
• Action-oriented, hands-on mindset who loves to execute intensely and efficiently

Recruitment Process

• Screening call with People Lead – 30 min
• Values & culture fit with Marco (CEO) – 45 min
• Interview & practical case with R&D engineering team
• Meet the team
• Reference checks
• Offer

Target starting date: ASAP