Principal investigator (PI) / Research Team Lead

Key Responsibilities

Research Strategy & Internal Alignment

• Align scientific research with commercial strategy by converting technology challenges into actionable hypotheses and an integrated R&D agenda.
• Define the scientific questions, hypotheses, and integrated research agenda for responsible research direction, aligned with the company's technology roadmap and business goals.
• Act as the primary technical interface with internal stakeholders (engineering, operations, business development, regulatory/IP), external academic and industrial partners.

Technology development & delivery

• Design research and experimental plans, data collection, and analysis pipelines, ensuring robust, reproducible and transferable results.
• Drive the technology along the TRL ladder toward pilot and first-of-a-kind plant
• Champion IP generation: identify, document and file patentable inventions and trade secrets in cooperation with the IP team.

Team Building & Mentoring

• Assemble and attract a team of researchers, technicians, and Co-PIs.
• Provide training for less experienced personnel and foster a collaborative, safety-first lab culture.
• Grow internal capabilities in catalysis, scale up and process engineering.

Communication

• Deliver clear, decision-ready reports to internal leadership and external partners.
• Report deliverable both internally and to partners.

Required Qualifications & Experience (7+ years of experience)

• Doctorate (or equivalent) in chemical engineering, catalysis, energy/process engineering, chemistry, or related discipline, with a strong record in fuel synthesis.
• Demonstrated expertise in biofuel/e-fuel value chain.
• Proven record of project delivery — taking research from bench concepts toward pilot/demo scale on budget and on schedule.
• Excellent written and oral communication, collaborative mindset, and adaptability.