Chemist

Carbon13 group; Oxford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Pure Capture Innovations in Oxford is seeking a hands-on chemist to join our lab and help develop sustainable water-treatment materials. This fixed-term role offers the chance to contribute from day one to a high-impact deep-tech program with real commercial potential.

You will design, synthesise, and optimise composite materials, support trials, and generate data to drive product development and scale-up in a lean startup environment.

Qualifications

• Degree or higher in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in synthesis, formulation, or materials development.
• Strong experimental technique and meticulous data handling.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-moving startup.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesise, and optimise advanced carbon-based composite materials for water treatment.
• Support laboratory trials and generate data to advance product development and scale-up.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure a safe, productive lab environment.
• Contribute to technical reports and project documentation.

Skills

Laboratory skills

Synthesis

Materials development

Experimental technique

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Degree or higher in chemistry or related field

Job description

Pure Capture Innovations is hiring a Chemistto join our Oxford lab and help build the next generation of sustainable water treatment materials. This is a fixed-term role at the start with the potential to become permanent, offering the chance to work on a high-impact deep-tech challenge with real commercial potential.

Pure Capture Innovations is developing a new class of sustainable and high-performance advanced adsorbents to capture and remove persistent micropollutants from drinking water, with a focus on short-chain PFAS.

We are looking for a hands‑on chemist who enjoys experimental work, fast iteration, and solving difficult technical problems. You will join a lean, ambitious team where your work will directly shape the technology, the data, and the route to commercial deployment. This is a role for someone who wants to contribute meaningfully from day one and grow with a startup tackling a major environmental challenge.

What you will do

You will be central to the development of our composite materials platform. Your work will involve designing, synthesising, and optimising materials for water treatment applications, supporting laboratory trials, and helping to generate the data needed to advance product development and scale‑up.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Synthesising and refining advanced carbon‑based composite materials.
• Working with porous materials, molecular filters, and functional adsorbent formulations.
• Supporting experimental planning, laboratory testing, and material optimisation.
• Characterising materials and interpreting results to guide the next round of development.
• Maintaining and presenting accurate laboratory records and high‑quality data.
• Helping to ensure the lab remains safe, organised, and productive.
• Contributing to technical reports and project documentation.

What we are looking for

We are seeking a motivated scientist with strong laboratory skills and a genuine interest in materials chemistry and environmental innovation.

• Degree or higher qualification in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Practical laboratory experience in synthesis, formulation, or materials development.
• Strong experimental technique and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑moving environment.
• Good communication skills and a proactive, problem‑solving mindset.

Desirable

• Knowledge of metal‑organ‑ic frameworks and synthesis.
• Experience with composite materials, porous materials, or advanced adsorbents.
• Familiarity with carbon materials, biochar, or water treatment media.
• Experience with materials characterisation or performance testing.
• Interest in sustainable chemistry, clean water, or environmental remediation.
• A willingness to learn quickly and help turn ideas into real materials.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to join a startup with a bold mission and strong momentum. Pure Capture Innovations is developing technology that could transform how the water industry addresses PFAS and other micropollutants. Our work is grounded in scientific rigour, but our ambition is bigger: to create scalable materials that are commercially viable, environmentally responsible, and capable of making a real difference.

You will work closely with company leadership and have the chance to influence core technical decisions in a fast‑moving startup environment. The role offers exposure to synthesis, optimisation, characterisation, and product development, with the opportunity to build deep expertise in an emerging area of advanced materials innovation.

Join us in building the materials that will help clean tomorrow’s water.