Separation & Purification Process Lead (Chemist/Scientist)

Radical Dot is hiring a Separation & Purification Process Lead (Chemist/Scientist) (m/w/o) to drive the development of the downstream processing and product recovery sections of our cutting-edge chemical recycling technology.

Radical Dot transforms mixed plastic waste into high-value chemical building blocks. Moving beyond traditional methods like pyrolysis and gasification, we are pioneering a sustainable and cost-efficient solution for the chemical industry.

As an early-stage start-up, we are seeking a hands-on and adaptable leader who thrives in a dynamic lab environment.

• You will play a critical role in leading and delivering targeted research projects, contributing directly to our mission to tackle the global plastics crisis.
• ## Tasks
• Responsibilities will include:
• Lead the development of the downstream processing section of the chemical recycling technology, including associated R&D activities
• Design and execute experimental programs to characterize product streams, phase behaviour, and solubility regimes relevant to separation
• Develop and scale separation concepts such as flash separation, precipitation, and crystallization with a focus on economic viability
• Own the conceptual and detailed design of filtration systems, aligning process constraints with appropriate equipment selection
• Evaluate and implement alternative process flowsheets to improve performance, operability, and robustness
• Partner with analytical and process teams to define and design suitable characterization methods for solid and liquid phases across the process
• Working closely with the Engineering and Science teams in a collaborative "one-team" mindset to deepen the scientific understanding of our chemistry and optimize our processes
• Supervising one or more students contributing to the project's overall objectives, if opportunities arise

• ## Requirements
• Your Skillset
• MSc with ~5 years of relevant experience or PhD with ~2+ years of postdoctoral or industrial experience in chemical engineering, technical chemistry, or process development
• Hands-on experience in separation and purification process development, ideally in an R&D or scale-up setting
• Experience with organic acid separations is a strong plus
• Familiarity with solid–liquid separation, filtration, distillation and extraction technologies
• Proficiency in relevant analytical techniques (GC, HPLC, etc.)
• Knowledge of dicarboxylic acid chemistry is an advantage
• Startup, pilot plant, or industrial process development experience is a plus
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in German is optional.
• Your Mindset
• Innovative and creative, ready to find solutions for problems no one has solved before.
• Passionate about impact and contributing to the fight against climate change.
• Adaptable and flexible, to embrace the fast-paced changing environment of start-ups.
• Collaborative, as the world’s biggest problems are solved as a team.
• Have strong safety awareness, this is still chemistry!
• Personal growth mindset, ready to take more and different responsibilities with the growth of the company.