Senior Researcher

We are an ambitious climate-tech company developing innovative processes to mitigate ocean acidification and realize atmospheric CO₂ removal (so-called “negative emissions”). Our multidisciplinary team combines electrochemistry, mineral processing, and marine systems engineering to turn breakthrough concepts into robust pilot and industrial installations.

We are looking for a Senior Researcher to strengthen the scientific and technical foundation of our technology as we move from validated pilot conditions toward real-world demonstration and future commercial deployment.

This role is for someone who can connect research quality with engineering reality. You will work on the chemistry, process behaviour, environmental effects, measurement methods, data interpretation, and scale-up assumptions behind Ocean Ionics’ technology. The work sits at the intersection of electrochemistry, seawater chemistry, carbon removal, mineral dissolution, process development, and environmental monitoring.

What you will do

• Lead applied research around ocean alkalinity enhancement, CO₂ removal, seawater chemistry, and acid neutralisation.
• Design, run, and interpret lab, pilot, and demonstration experiments.
• Develop research plans, test protocols, sampling strategies, and data analysis methods.
• Build and validate mass balances, chemical balances, performance models, and carbon removal calculations.
• Investigate operating windows, process limitations, side reactions, environmental sensitivities, and scale-up risks.
• Translate research results into clear recommendations for process design and demonstration operation.
• Work closely with engineering, marine science, university partners, and external experts.
• Support monitoring, reporting, and verification logic for CO₂ removal and local marine response.
• Contribute to technical reports, grant documentation, scientific publications, and partner discussions.
• Help define the evidence base required to scale responsibly from demonstration to commercial plant.

What we are looking for

• A senior researcher with strong experience in applied chemistry, chemical engineering, electrochemistry, marine chemistry, environmental chemistry, or carbon removal.
• Strong understanding of aqueous chemistry, acid-base equilibria, carbonate chemistry, mass balances, experimental design, and data interpretation.
• Experience with one or more of the following is highly relevant: ocean alkalinity enhancement, electrochemical systems, membrane processes, electrodialysis, seawater/brine chemistry, mineral dissolution, water treatment, hydrometallurgy, or carbon accounting.
• Ability to turn complex scientific questions into practical test plans and engineering-relevant conclusions.
• Comfortable working with uncertainty, incomplete datasets, and early-stage technology.
• Strong written communication skills: you can explain technical findings clearly to engineers, scientists, partners, investors, and public stakeholders.
• Hands-on mindset: you are willing to run tests, check measurements, challenge assumptions, and understand what is actually happening in the system.
• Optimistic but scientifically rigorous: you believe the technology can work, while staying honest about evidence, risks, limitations, and environmental responsibility.

Your profile

You are a researcher who wants your work to leave the lab. You care about scientific quality, but you also understand that climate technology must eventually become equipment, operating procedures, permits, monitoring plans, and real-world performance data.

You can question a carbonate equilibrium model in the morning, review pilot data after lunch, and help the engineering team decide what to test next before the end of the day. You bring curiosity, structure, and calm technical judgement.

Why join Ocean Ionics

• Work on a serious climate challenge with gigaton-scale relevance.
• Help build the evidence base for responsible ocean-based CO₂ removal.
• Join an experienced team working across electrochemistry, process engineering, renewable power, marine science, and environmental monitoring.
• Contribute directly to the transition from pilot validation to Project Alkalion and future commercial deployment.
• Work on a technology where scientific integrity, climate impact, and ecological responsibility all matter.

Location

Netherlands / Spain / hybrid to be defined, with travel expected for testing, partners, field work, and demonstration activities.

How to apply

Apply through our contact page with your CV and a short note explaining why this role fits you. We are especially interested in examples where you designed research, analysed complex chemical or environmental systems, supported scale-up, or translated scientific results into practical technology decisions.