Synthetic Chemist

Cura•Calgary, AB

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

CURA is seeking a chemist with experience in both synthesis and electrochemistry to drive the discovery of new additives for CURA's electrochemical acid and base production platform. This role sits at the heart of our chemistry program. A successful candidate will work closely with the CTO and electrochemistry team to expand CURA's molecular library and develop a deep understanding of structure-property relationships to guide the next generation of our electrolyte platform and improve the efficiency and durability of one of our core processes. This is a rare opportunity for synthetic chemists with expertise in electrochemistry to contribute to decarbonizing cement production, one of the most heavily emitting sectors.

Requirements

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada
PhD or Master's degree in organic chemistry, electrochemistry, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Strong scientific communication and documentation skills
Demonstrated proficiency in synthetic chemistry, including air-sensitive techniques. Experience designing, synthesizing, and characterizing redox-active organic molecules
Experienced in conducting electrochemical techniques such as: cyclic voltammetry, controlled-potential electrolysis, and electrochemical characterization of molecular systems
Proficiency in conducting characterization techniques including: NMR, UV-Vis, and IR spectroscopies, and HPLC-MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS and other mass spectrometric techniques, as needed
Ability to design and execute an independent experimental program with a fast, iterative mindset
Must demonstrate attention to safe work practices
Must work well in a team setting and effectively collaborate across an interdisciplinary team
Results oriented with strong interpersonal, and communication/presentation skills
Demonstrated aptitude for problem solving, troubleshooting, collaboration, and innovation
Must be a self-starter and able to work independently or multiple competing priorities
Excellent organizational, project, and time management capabilities

Nice To Haves

Experience with redox flow batteries or proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) systems
Background working in harsh electrolyte environments (strongly acidic or alkaline systems)
Familiarity with electrolyzer, flow cell hardware and membrane systems
Experience scaling syntheses from gram to kilogram quantities

Responsibilities

Lead molecular design, procurement, and synthesis to drive results on one of CURA's core objectives
Operate air-free synthesis techniques, including Schlenk line and glovebox protocols, for air-sensitive chemistries
Characterize synthesized compounds using standard analytical tools (NMR, UV–Vis, and FTIR spectroscopies; and HPLC-MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS and other mass spectrometric techniques, as needed)
Evaluate electrochemical performance of new molecules using cyclic voltammetry, bulk electrolysis, and flow cell testing
Develop structure-activity relationships linking molecular structure to electrochemical behavior (redox potential, electron transfer kinetics, cycling stability)
Assess degradation pathways in acidic and alkaline electrolyte environments and propose structural modifications to improve lifetime
Build a database of key results on relevant molecular frameworks to improve the energy efficiency, durability, and lifetime of CURA's core technology
Develop and document hazard assessments
Responsibly manage chemical handling, storage, and safety
Complete molecular synthesis, characterization, and experiments safely, with full documentation of procedures and outcomes
Develop and document standard operating procedures for molecular screening assays
Maintain rigorous experimental records and generate clear technical reports, synthesis protocols, and scale-up recommendations
Effectively communicate outcomes and provide recommendations for further development to the management team
Responsibly identify and manage IP, and communicate it to management, internal team members, and external stakeholders
Collaborate with the CTO and electrochemical team on integrating new molecules into cell architectures
Manage relationships with external stakeholders, such as vendors, suppliers, and partners
Contribute to a culture of honesty, transparency, innovation, and safety
As-needed, train and manage technicians and co-op students in the wet lab setting
Identify and build strong relationships with key chemical and materials suppliers