Polymer Chemist

Focused Energy; Darmstadt; Hybrid; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading fusion energy startup in Darmstadt seeks a skilled Polymer Chemist to drive the development of advanced polymer components crucial for laser-driven fusion targets. The role involves leading projects and collaborations to create innovative materials, impacting the future of clean energy. Competitive salary and benefits, including a hybrid working model, are offered.

Leistungen

30 days of vacation per year

Career development opportunities

Competitive salary with stock options

Hybrid work model

Health and wellness programs

Subsidized canteen and snacks

Flexible commuting support

Qualifikationen

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in polymer materials development.
• Experience in leading R&D projects.
• Ability to independently select and evaluate polymers.

Aufgaben

• Lead research and synthesis of advanced polymers for fusion targets.
• Develop photoinduced polymerisation methods for complex geometries.
• Collaborate with teams to define material requirements.

Kenntnisse

Photoinduced polymerisation

Polymeric surface coatings

Sol-gel techniques

Leadership

Data-driven experimentation

Ausbildung

PhD in polymer chemistry, materials science, or related field

Jobbeschreibung

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. The founders include two highly renowned scientists and a long-time entrepreneur and founder of several successful startups. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply.

We are seeking a skilled and driven Polymer Chemist to join our team and help us shape the future of energy. In this role, you will drive the development and production of advanced polymer-based components essential to our laser-driven fusion targets. You will lead projects, guide a small but growing team, and contribute your deep expertise to the design and synthesis of novel materials and surface structures. Your work will enable precision manufacturing at the micro- and nanoscale and play a key role in bringing fusion energy closer to reality.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the research, formulation, and synthesis of advanced polymers tailored to the needs of high-precision fusion targets, including surface coatings, porous structures / foams, and encapsulation layers.
• Apply and develop photoinduced polymerisation methods for precision control of micro- and nanostructures, enabling reliable and reproducible production of complex geometries.
• Utilize sol-gel chemistry and polymeric foaming techniques to engineer functional and structured materials that meet exacting requirements for optical, thermal, and mechanical performance.
• Lead R&D projects across the full lifecycle; from fundamental formulation to process optimization and integration into target production. You will collaborate closely with physicists and engineers.
• Work closely with all sub-teams within the Targetry group to define material requirements and ensure alignment between design, fabrication, and performance testing.
• Translate research into scalable and reliable production processes with a view toward high-throughput, sub-micrometer-precision manufacturing in the near future.
• Ensure robust experimental design and thorough data analysis across projects to drive reliable, evidence-based decisions.
  
  

Who you are:

• PhD in polymer chemistry, materials science, physical chemistry, or a related field, and bring at least 5 years of hands-on experience in the synthesis, formulation, and development of polymer materials.
• Deep expertise in photoinduced polymerisation and polymeric surface coatings, and can translate this knowledge into reproducible, scalable processes for high-precision applications.
• Experienced in developing polymeric foams and working with sol-gel techniques to create functional materials and complex structures for advanced applications.
• You can independently select and evaluate suitable polymers and formulations based on specific performance requirements and constraints, including optical and thermal properties.
• Scientific mindset and data-driven approach to experimental work, including statistical design of experiments, critical evaluation of results, and continuous optimization
• You’ve led R&D projects and enjoy taking full ownership from concept to production while mentoring a small team and ensuring alignment across disciplines.
• You thrive in interdisciplinary environments and collaborate with engineers and physicists to translate requirements into effective material solutions.
  
  

What we offer:

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.
• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.
• Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.
• Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.
• Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.
• Flexibility: We believe work should adapt to your life—not the other way around. That’s why we offer a hybrid setup, giving you the freedom to work from our office while also enjoying the flexibility to work from home when it suits you.
• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a subsidized canteen with delicious lunch options daily.
• Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 15% on top of your monthly contributions.
• Equipment: Choose between a state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptop. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.
• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.
• Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle.
• Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub.
  
  

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.