CK Group is recruiting a Senior R&D Scientist - Carbon Capture to join a dynamic start-up focused on developing systems that enhance water vapor adsorption and desorption. The company is advancing technologies in atmospheric water harvesting and CO2 capture.
Location: Irvine, California
Contract type: Full-time, permanent
Salary: $120,000 - $140,000 per year (base)
Key Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the Head of Product Engineering to scale up commercial-grade MOF/COF-based CO2 capture systems.
Model kinetics, thermal transfer, and CO2 adsorption/desorption mechanisms for MOF/COF materials.
Develop models that optimize CO2 adsorption/desorption, energy efficiency, air flow, and vacuum/pressure swing operations.
Design and optimize individual carbon capture module components.
Lead the scale-up from prototype to commercial systems.
Identify and optimize key parameters such as energy efficiency, production capacity, reliability, and cost.
Work closely with R&D teams to refine the functional specifications of MOF/COFs.
Manage the sourcing of materials and components, overseeing the entire process from procurement to final assembly.
Establish and maintain QC/QA processes for production.
Keep detailed records in an electronic notebook and participate in technical meetings.
Contribute to the company's intellectual property through invention disclosures.
Key Qualifications:
PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
Minimum of 3 years post-PhD industrial experience.
Experience with CO2 adsorption systems (MOF/COF), or if not, relevant experience in gas adsorption systems like pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or temperature swing adsorption (TSA).
Strong background in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
Proven track record of working on system-level prototypes and scaling up technologies.
Proficiency with simulation tools for thermal design and energy performance analysis.
Familiarity with production safety protocols.
Excellent teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to scale up prototypes or run successful experiments.
Application:
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the US. Please reference job number 104630 in all correspondence.