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Job Title: Lead Chemist (flexible title)

Location: Nottingham (UK & EU travel required)

Remuneration: Competitive salary + equity options + bonus

Start Date: Immediate

Contract Type: Full-time

Visa Sponsorship: Available for the right candidate


About C4C

Concrete4Change (C4C) is a deep-tech climate company developing patented CO₂-mineralisation technology to permanently lock CO₂ into concrete and reduce clinker dependency — decarbonising one of the world’s most carbon-intensive materials.

Our innovation transforms waste calcium sources into a carbon-negative supplementary cementitious material, enabling durable, low-carbon concrete while producing valuable circular by-products.

We have successfully scaled our process 10× and are commissioning our first pilot plant in Nottingham using real flue gas. Pilot data will directly feed into commercial demonstration systems across the UK and Europe (10–100× scale).

C4C is backed by major strategic investors (including SCG and Goldbeck), collaborates with leading universities, and is securing significant public funding to accelerate industrial deployment.

This is a pivotal moment to join as we scale from lab to industrial deployment and raise our next institutional round.

Learn more:

• Tech Overview: https://youtu.be/Qxjw-3vL4Ms

• Lab Day: https://youtu.be/q3tHdhAoUjI

• Team Perspective: https://youtu.be/dDa-xFofK3g

• Founder Story: https://youtu.be/vkcxFPeCkqU


The Opportunity — Lead Chemist

We are seeking an accomplished, hands-on Lead Chemist to drive our chemistry roadmap, guide experimental strategy, and support scale-up from lab to pilot and industrial environments.

You will oversee core chemistry programmes spanning mineralisation mechanisms, additive formulation, crystallisation pathways, and SCM performance. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in concrete science, engineering, and analytics to accelerate product and process development.

This role is ideal for an ambitious scientist ready to lead, influence cross-disciplinary teams, and help bring a world-first climate technology to market.


Key Responsibilities

Scientific & Technical Leadership

• Design and lead experimental programmes for CO₂-mineralisation and SCM development

• Optimise crystallisation pathways, reaction conditions, and material performance

• Define and improve characterisation workflows (XRD, XRF, SEM, calorimetry, etc.)

• Support pilot plant validation and translation of lab results to industrial design

• Ensure rigorous scientific method, safety and quality standards

Team Leadership & Delivery

• Mentor scientists and technicians and foster a high-performance culture

• Implement structured R&D processes, documentation, and analytical discipline

• Work closely with process engineering and concrete teams on integrated solutions

Innovation & Partnerships

• Support technical collaborations with universities, labs, and industrial partners

• Represent C4C in technical discussions and industry forums

Funding & Reporting

• Contribute technical inputs to grant proposals and collaborative bids

• Support reporting, audits, and technical deliverables

Communication & Strategy

• Present technical results to leadership, investors, and partners

• Translate data into clear development plans and decision-making inputs

Mobility

• Ability to travel and spend time on-site at future demo locations (UK/EU)


Essential Requirements

• PhD in chemistry or materials science.

• 8+ years R&D experience in inorganic chemistry, materials, or mineral systems

• Minimum 5 years in a senior role in a startup

• Strong record of experimental design, data analysis, and material optimisation

• Hands-on experience with analytical tools (XRD, XRF, SEM, etc.)

• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical staff

• Experience taking technology from lab research to pilot-scale (TRL 4–7)

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in fast-moving environments


Desirable Experience

• Cement chemistry, SCMs, or CO₂-mineralisation

• Industrial crystallisation, mineral processing, or CCU

• Concrete testing / mix optimisation exposure

• Understanding of LCA, EPDs, or environmental regulations

• Grant collaboration and technical reporting

• Experience building systems in a scale-up environment


What We Offer

• Strategic scientific leadership role in a fast-growing climate-tech company

• Equity and performance-based rewards

• Private health insurance & pension

• Competitive annual leave

• Join a mission-driven team delivering real-world climate impact


Join us to help reinvent concrete and build a carbon-negative industrial future.