Founding Chemical Engineer

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Neela Biotech

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

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We’re expanding the core team at Neela Biotech with an experienced and hands-on Chemical Engineer who is excited to build in climate tech! In this role, you will lead the chemical engineering team and support scaling of our biotech platform and downstream processing to 3000L while driving core strategy development.


We review applications on a rolling basis and aim to fill the role as soon as possible (no later than September 2026). Apply using this link: https://www.notion.so/Join-us-Founding-Chemical-Engineer-35778a7937e480cd93aef88f196a9fa1



Who we are:


  • Neela Biotech is a Cambridge-based start-up developing a scalable, cost-competitive pathway to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals. Our mission is to redefine how the world produces fuels and chemicals by turning waste into the foundation of a carbon-negative economy.


  • Our proprietary Controlled Microbial Upcycling process combines advances in AI and synthetic biology with existing biogas plant infrastructure to convert diverse waste streams into drop-in fatty acids. Our initial focus is the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market, where we address a critical bottleneck: the limited supply of waste oils used in HEFA refineries. By providing a scalable, low-cost alternative feedstock, we unlock a new pathway to expand SAF production.


  • Neela has been selected for leading climate and aviation innovation programmes, including the IAGi accelerator (British Airways), Fifty Years’ 5050, Undaunted’s Greenhouse, and Founders’ Start 3.0, and has won in three global climate competitions. We have been awarded grant funding from Innovate UK and the Henry Royce Institute.



Who we are looking for:


  • Above all, we value people who share our vision for a sustainable future, purpose-driven, passionate about their work, and eager to grow alongside us. Your background should be in chemical engineering (BSc/MSc/PhD) with at least three years of industry experience in a technical role.


  • We are looking for a person who is keen to join the core team of Neela. This means, you will be working closely with our CEO and CTO on business development, customer interactions, technoeconomics, and technology development.


  • As an experienced chemical engineer, you will lead a small technical team and will support scaling our biotech platform to 3000L. Furthermore, you will be optimising our downstream processing designs. This will include hands-on work in modelling and lab-based prototyping.


  • On logistics, you should be available to meet in person in Cambridge, UK on at least three days per week and be comfortable to travel on regular basis to London and other cities in the UK which are relevant in the biogas space such as York.



How to get in touch:

If you have any questions then please reach out: info@neelabiotech.com. Apply using this link: https://www.notion.so/Join-us-Founding-Chemical-Engineer-35778a7937e480cd93aef88f196a9fa1