About the Company/Team

ReGlassia is a pre-seed, deep-tech startup on a mission to revolutionize the specialty chemical and semiconductor supply chains. Chosen as 1 of 15 startups for the 2025 iGEM Grand Jamboree Startup Showcase, we are developing a groundbreaking enzymatic process to extract high-purity silicon from post-consumer glass waste. Our vision is to create a circular economy for silicon, drastically reducing the carbon footprint and economic costs associated with traditional production methods. We are a diverse, international team of scientists and entrepreneurs who came together through the iGEM Venture Creation Lab, and we are looking for a passionate and brilliant chemical engineer to join us at the ground level and help build our foundational technology. https://linktr.ee/re.glassia

About the Role

Term: 6-month, unpaid position with opportunity for full-time, salaried leadership role and equity upon successful funding round Location: Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts, On-site. You must be located in the Greater Boston Area of Massachusetts, or be in the New England area and able to commute to Cambridge. (Remote within the U.S. may be considered if you will relocate after the 6-month period.) This is a unique opportunity for a Postdoctoral researcher or a Ph.D. candidate in the final 6 months of their program to move beyond academic research and gain hands-on experience in a dynamic startup environment. You will be a key member of our founding team, working directly with the founders to transition our novel enzymatic silicon extraction process from the lab bench to a scalable manufacturing reality. This position is designed to be a true partnership. While it is an unpaid role during our pre-seed stage, the primary goal is to provide you with an unparalleled experience in process design, startup strategy, and team leadership. The successful candidate will be first in line for the paid, full-time role of Head of Process Engineering with a competitive salary and equity, upon the closing of our seed funding round. **Key Responsibilities** * Lead the design, modeling, and development of a pilot-scale process for the production of alkoxysilanes from our enzymatically-derived silicon precursor. * Conduct techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) to validate the commercial and environmental advantages of our process. * Develop and optimize reaction conditions, separation, and purification processes. * Collaborate with our biochemistry team to understand the interface between the enzymatic extraction and the downstream chemical synthesis. * Design and execute experiments to validate process models and generate data for scale-up. * Source and manage relationships with equipment vendors and potential Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO). * Contribute to intellectual property development, including patent applications. * Play a key role in building the company's technical roadmap and funding proposals. * As the company grows, take on the responsibility of recruiting, mentoring, and leading a team of chemical engineers and technicians. **Qualifications** Required: * A Ph.D. or Post Doc (with expected completion within 6 months) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field. * Strong theoretical and practical foundation in chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and process design. * Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive a research project from concept to execution. * Excellent problem-solving skills and a creative, first-principles approach to tackling new challenges. * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. * Located in or willing to relocate to the Massachusetts/New England area. Remote for the first 6 months will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Preferred: * Experience with silicon chemistry, chlorosilanes, or alkoxysilanes. * Hands-on experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS). * Familiarity with process scale-up, from lab to pilot or manufacturing scale. * Previous experience in a startup or highly collaborative, fast-paced environment. * An entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to make a significant impact and grow into a leadership role.

* Foundational Experience: This is a chance to be a founding member of the technical team and shape the future of a deep-tech company. * Path to Leadership: A direct route to a full-time, salaried leadership position with significant equity upon successful funding. * Mentorship: Work side-by-side with experienced founders and advisors, gaining invaluable insight into business, strategy, and venture capital. * Intellectual Freedom & Impact: See your work translate directly into tangible technology and intellectual property with the opportunity for co-authorship on patents and publications. * Networking: Gain access to our network of academic collaborators, industry experts, and investors. If you are a driven, innovative engineer ready to build a sustainable future from the ground up, we want to hear from you. Please fill out this form to apply. https://forms.gle/x4w1PwBNh1TCuvAc8 Review of applications begin September 22nd.