Materials Scientist

alqem; München; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

alqem is seeking hands-on Research Scientists to execute day-to-day experimental synthesis and characterization of AI-predicted materials. You will work with the Head of Materials Synthesis & Characterization and a computational team to translate AI predictions into physical samples and high-quality data.

This lab-first role emphasizes ownership of results and IP generation. Preferred candidates will have a background in condensed matter physics, inorganic chemistry, or materials science, with

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in physics, chemistry, or material science with 5+ years of hands-on experience.
• Expertise in the synthesis of inorganic crystals, e.g. magnets, van der Waals materials, superconductors, perovskites.
• Expertise in characterization using X-ray structure determination and SEM-EDS.
• Experience with cryogenic transport and magnetization measurements (PPMS, VSM).
• Ability to quickly learn different growth methods.

Responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day experimental synthesis and characterization of AI-predicted materials.
• Translate AI predictions into physical samples and high-quality data.
• Collaborate with Head of Materials Synthesis & Characterization and computational team.
• Contribute to IP generation and industrial validation through rigorous documentation.

Skills

Synthesis of inorganic crystals

Material characterization techniques

X-ray diffraction

SEM-EDS

Cryogenic transport measurements

Cryogenic magnetization measurements

Automation and lab data management

Education

PhD in physics, chemistry, or materials science

MSc in physics, chemistry, or materials science

Tools

Physical vapor deposition

Melt-growth

Flux-growth

Arc-melting

PPMS (or similar)

VSM

Job description

Your mission

We are seeking hands‑on Research Scientists to execute day‑to‑day experimental synthesis and characterization of AI‑predicted materials. You will work directly with the Head of Materials Synthesis & Characterization and computational team to rapidly translate AI materials predictions into physical samples and high‑quality characterization data. This is a lab‑first, execution‑driven role with strong ownership of experimental results and direct contribution to cutting edge AI‑enable workflow and feedback loop, IP generation and industrial validation.

Your mission

We look for ambitious candidates with passion and perseverance, and for good team players. The ideal candidate is an independent problem solver, someone who likes to make new things, and has the grit necessary to make things work. You will be part of an agile and growing team, pushing boundaries for progress and discoveries with a competitive compensation package including equity participation.

You should have a material synthesis expert with a background in condensed matter physics, inorganic chemistry, or material science. You should have expertise in a few of the following synthesis techniques: physical vapor deposition, melt‑growth, flux‑growth, and arc‑melting. You should be familiar with X‑ray diffraction and spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and elemental analysis, as well as PPMS (or similar) methods. You should have a high level of experimental rigor and documentation discipline.

Your profile

Required Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in physics, chemistry, or material science with 5+ years of hands‑on experience
• Expertise in the synthesis of inorganic crystals, e.g. permanent magnets, van der Waals materials, superconductors, Perovskite compounds, Kondo topological fermions, cubic and hexagonal Laves compounds, etc.
• Expertise in characterization of new materials using X‑ray structure determination, SEM‑EDS
• Expertise in characterization of new materials using cryogenic transport and magnetization measurements (e.g., PPMS, VSM)
• Ability to quickly learn different growth methods

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of different low‑temperature materials characterization methods
• Experience with magnets
• Familiarity with automation and lab data management
• Experience in generating data for patents or industrial qualifications

About Us

We are a German and Portuguese start‑up revolutionizing novel and high impact materials discovery using leading AI models and smart synthesis. At alqem, we believe that new breakthrough materials are a key driver of progress, and that AI has given us new tools to discover these materials.

Our cofounder has worked in the AI‑for‑materials space for more than a decade, and was involved in building the largest and best foundational materials database for crystalline materials, Alexandria. Our CEO spent over 15 years in the chemicals and energy industry in executive roles and has experience in developing large industrial projects.

Our motivation is to build a company that can have a large, positive impact on our world: we want to make materials for the energy transition, for better computing, and for the future of mobility. In our company, we want to build a culture where team members act as owners, where curiosity and problem solving are encouraged, where scientific breakthroughs are celebrated, and where we help each other thrive and work hard towards our common goals.