Leap - The plant-based leather alternative made by Beyond Leather.

We want you to bring Leap to the next level! This is an opportunity to be a part of a young, driven team that is working to change the way we make and use our things. Let's make an industrial scale, biodegradable, high performance material that is strong and beautiful! Made from food waste! 

Company Size: We're a startup with a diverse team consisting of 2 founders, 5 employees, several mentors, researchers and suppliers, united by the same goal: to create the best and most sustainable leather alternative by upcycling food waste.

We are looking for a full-time polymer scientist who would work mostly in the lab and R&D side of Beyond Leather Materials able to start right away. As a scientist, you will work closely with experts to optimize LEAP to reach higher performance with sustainability in mind. You will have an opportunity to develop an innovative material that is based on food waste and to work with like-minded people. 

The position is expected and encouraged to do desk research on the different topics by reading papers, and coming up with approaches on how to improve the material together with the rest of the  R&D team. You will perform experiments in our chemistry laboratory, and will evaluate the results mainly by mechanical tests. You will be responsible for presenting your results to the team, as well as drawing conclusions. As a team, we will discuss what direction research should continue based on the results. 

Tasks

• Chemical and biochemical modification of biomass

• Crosslinking of biopolymers 

• Refining and separation of lignocellulosic materials

• Plan and execute experiments on your own

• Desk research on how to improve the performance of our biomaterial with regard to robustness and temperature resistance

• Design and build own experimental setups and test protocols 

• Setting up creative experiments from literature findings 

• Support the rest of the R&D team and the company as a whole in day-to-day activities, ideation, and discussions 

• Follow the developments of new materials and trends within our industry 

Profile

• Educated as an MSc or PhD in polymer chemistry, material science, biotechnology or similar

• Preferably with experience in plant-based biomaterials. e.g. from project work, internships or working experience

• Ideally 1-3 years working experience or a relevant PhD project 

• You like working with others in the lab and in general enjoy experimental work

• Expect a 50:50 ratio between desk research and laboratory work 

• You are able to adapt to the startup pace and desire to learn and grow in a startup

• You have a detail-oriented and structured approach to day-to-day work

• Curious and open to understand and discuss your own and  your colleagues tasks and responsibilities

• Enjoy being creative in the laboratory both regarding chemistry and equipment

• Enjoy taking responsibility, getting things done, and share good, bad, and failed experiments

• Self-driven and enjoy finding new ways both from experimentation and literature studies

If You are a self-driven person with an inquisitive mind that gets a kick out of learning and developing something new, then get ready and apply with a cover letter and your CV. In the cover letter, please let us know about you, your motivation and your availability.