Head of Scientific Applications & Analytics / Lab Operations

Thewaternetwork; Schweiz; On-site; CHF 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days paid holidays

Public transport subsidies

Flexible working hours

Job summary

Thewaternetwork in Switzerland seeks a Head of Scientific Applications & Analytics. You will lead laboratory operations, manage a team of scientists, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards while advancing analytical methods for PFAS detection. The role demands substantial experience in laboratory research and leadership. Join a passionate team focused on sustainable solutions to water pollution, with flexibility in working conditions and a commitment to environmental impact.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in laboratory research or chemical analysis.
• 5+ years leading laboratory teams and managing scientific projects.
• Experience in developing and validating analytical methods.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design and certification of laboratory infrastructure.
• Direct the development of analytical methods for PFAS analysis.
• Implement workflows that ensure data integrity across research and compliance.

Skills

Laboratory research experience

Team leadership

Analytical method development

Environmental science knowledge

Water treatment technologies

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Environmental Science

Tools

LC-MS/MS

GC-MS

TOC analyzers

Job description

Head of Scientific Applications & Analytics / Lab Operations

Description

Oxyle is an award‑winning Swiss clean‑tech startup, founded in 2020 to solve one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of our time. Our mission is to restore and protect our bodies of water from PFAS, down to the last drop. PFAS, often referred to as Forever Chemicals, are a group of more than 10,000 persistent and toxic man‑made substances polluting our water, soils, and food. Our breakthrough destruction technology permanently degrades challenging PFAS compounds from wastewater. No two wastewaters are alike, so our solutions aren’t either. We design complete treatment systems by integrating our core technology with tailored approaches to ensure optimal performance.

We’re a team of driven, curious minds from all around the world, brought together by this shared purpose.

The opportunity

At Oxyle, we’re on a mission to eliminate persistent pollutants like PFAS from water. Our Scientific Applications, Process & Analytics team is central to that mission — designing experiments, validating technologies, and delivering the analytical rigor that turns innovation into reliable, scalable solutions.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Scientific Applications & Analytics to lead the development of Oxyle’s laboratory capabilities and establish certified, world‑class analytical facilities. In this role, you’ll shape our scientific operations strategy — designing efficient lab workflows, implementing advanced analytical methods, and ensuring robust data quality that underpins product development, regulatory confidence, and customer trust.

This is a unique opportunity to lead Oxyle’s analytical backbone and define industry standards for PFAS treatment performance and water analytics.

Will you join us in protecting the future of our waters?

Your key responsibilities

1. Build and Certify Oxyle’s Laboratory Infrastructure

• Lead the design, setup, and future certification of Oxyle’s analytical and experimental laboratories to meet ISO, HSE and regulatory standards.
• Define the roadmap for scaling Oxyle’s lab capabilities — from internal proof‑of‑concept work to certified analysis for customer and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure compliance with QA/QC and documentation requirements while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

2. Analytical Excellence & Method Development

• Guide the development, validation, and implementation of advanced analytical methods to quantify targeted & non targeted PFAS analysis and other water quality parameters.
• Establish workflows and data integrity systems that ensure accuracy, transparency, and usability of analytical outputs across R&D, customer, and compliance needs.
• Build partnerships and capabilities that strengthen Oxyle’s position as a leader in advanced water analytics.

3. Experimental Design & Workflow Optimization

• Collaborate closely with Tech teams to design and execute experiments that validate new treatment technologies and processes.
• Develop efficient lab workflows that balance scientific rigor, throughput, and scalability.
• Introduce frameworks for experimental design (DoE) and statistical validation to ensure reproducible, data‑driven decision‑making.
• Translate analytical insights into actionable feedback for technology and product development.

4. Operational Leadership

• Lead and mentor a growing team of scientists, analysts, and lab technicians, building strong capabilities in analytical chemistry, water testing, and experimental design.
• Ensure effective and compliant laboratory operations, procurement, and maintenance through strong systems and delegation and drive cost control, and safety (HSE) adherence across all lab activities.
• Represent the laboratory function in cross‑functional strategy discussions with R&D, Engineering, and Commercial teams.

Requirements

What you need to bring to the role

• 10+ years professional experience in laboratory research or chemical analysis, ideally within water treatment, environmental science, or a related field.
• 5 years professional experience in leading laboratory teams, managing people, resources, and scientific projects.
• Experience in establishing or managing certified laboratory environments.
• Proven track‑record in designing and executing experiments to support technological iterations and in developing and validating analytical methods, ideally for trace‑level contaminant detection such as PFAS (with e.g., LC‑MS/MS, GC‑MS, TOC analyzers).
• Familiar with water treatment technologies and performance testing (e.g., AOPs, adsorption, filtration, degradation kinetics).
• Experience with regulatory compliance, including traceability of lab data and method documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and with cross‑functional teams (e.g., R&D, engineering, commercial) to align lab outputs with strategic goals.
• Visionary yet pragmatic scientific leader who combines technical excellence with operational rigor.
• Passionate about environmental impact and sustainability.
• Structured, data‑driven decision‑maker who brings clarity and consistency to complex experimental environments.
• Empowers and develops teams, creating a culture of accountability, learning, and safety.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment and shaping systems from the ground up.

What we offer

• 25 days paid holidays and Winter Recharger.
• Public transport subsidies.
• Flexible and trust‑based working hours with the option of working from home when needed.
• Team events and team‑building activities throughout the year.
• Entrepreneurial company with a non‑hierarchical mindset.
• A passionate and international team where you can move the needle to create a sustainable impact.
• An open and welcoming culture where diverse perspectives are valued, and your individuality and input are always taken into account.
• Modern, well‑equipped office spaces and laboratory infrastructure designed to support both collaboration and focus.

Aquaspe complies to swiss law and the swiss data protection act