Research Scientist

Are you looking for an opportunity to enter the ground floor of a company working to commercialize an innovation that will improve the environment, water quality, and quality of life for all? 

Do you see yourself joining a team that is committed to sustainability, protecting the environment, and supporting a diversity of people in science, technology, and engineering careers?   As the Laboratory Research Scientist, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality, detailed scientific testing, results, and data analysis.

About Enspired Solutions

Enspired Solutions is a women-owned startup established to tackle one of the most pressing environmental issues worldwide. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used for more than 60 years to make firefighting foams, coatings, and lubricants. PFAS are known to be toxic and, due to their high stability in natural environments, they are also called “forever chemicals.” 

Enspired Solutions is commercializing a USEPA-award-winning, patented chemical technology to permanently destroy PFAS in water and return them to non-toxic molecular components without the need for off-site disposal. 

We call our UV-based water treatment reactor the PFASigator™ and foresee that it will become an in-demand water treatment technology.  Our startup company is set to expand rapidly and we need an energetic, self-motivated Laboratory Research Scientist to join our diverse team and help us meet our customer’s PFAS destruction needs. 

Responsibilities
The Laboratory Research Scientist will work closely with the Research Director and fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Learn the operation of the PFASigator™ and become expert on our patented PFAS destruction chemistry 
• Schedule and prioritize lab studies according to business needs and deadlines
• Train, direct, and potentially supervise 1-3 junior laboratory staff
• Plan experimental design to answer research questions
• Coordinate with engineering staff to evaluate equipment performance
• Interpret and process PFAS analytical and other experimental data
• Prepare internal and external technical reports to discuss experimental data and communicate results
• Assist in presenting experiment results to customers, as needed
• Troubleshoot to define root cause of any lab performance issues
• Assist in identifying the need for lab process and equipment improvements
• Support general lab operations, including safety, cleanliness, and inventory control
• Safely complete tasks and projects both in the lab and in the field
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive customer and company information 
• Provide excellent customer service
• Other projects and tasks as needed as our company grows

Qualifications 
The ideal candidate will have a background in science or engineering, and:

• BS degree in chemistry or chemical engineering
• Relevant work experience in PFAS chemistry or advanced chemistry and related analytical techniques
• Experience interpreting third-party analytical data
• Experience working in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment
• Experience with product/process development
• Ability to independently work through lab and chemistry problems
• Ability to identify problems and develop and apply creative solutions 
• Ability to take initiative
• Ability to follow through and complete tasks
• Meticulous record-keeping skills
• Ability to work long hours, when needed (e.g. 10-12 hours per day), while standing, walking, and lifting items like tools and containers
• Ability to travel within the US on occasion for days at a time (10 - 15%) to support field testing of PFASigator™
• Ability to work collaboratively with scientists, engineers, and business professionals
• Ability to maintain a professional attitude and manners in the workplace

Essential Skills and Qualities:

• Ability to thrive in small company/startup culture including innovation, high energy, bursts of super high energy, and dynamic priorities 
• Adaptability in unexpected situations
• Ability to recognize and support the value of diversity in persons, ideas, and communication styles
• Positive attitude
• Punctuality
• Problem solver
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Safety-minded
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to adapt to rapid company growth
• Good interpersonal and communication skills

Our office and lab are located in Lansing, Michigan and this job is for on-site work in the office and lab. Occasional travel throughout Michigan and the US is expected for this position. Travel includes paid housing, meals, and transportation. Field work on hazardous waste sites is expected.

We welcome and consider qualified applicants regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy status, veteran status, or any other differences.
 

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