Science Team Lead
CREW Carbon
About the role
CREW Carbon is on a mission to removing billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. CREW’s technology enhances the natural power of minerals to treat wastewater and store CO2 permanently, all while optimizing pH and alkalinity, improving nutrient removal rates and reducing costs for the municipalities wastewater treatment plant.
The primary role of the Science Team Lead at CREW Carbon is to manage the product team and drive the success of CREW’s carbon removal technology through both scientific leadership and project management. This role requires hands-on work in the lab and field, overseeing data analysis, modeling, and method development. The Science Team Lead will work closely with the Head of Science and CEO to push forward CREW’s mission by identifying and solving key scientific challenges related to our enhanced weathering and MRV solutions. The position is full-time and in-person, located in New Haven, involving time in the office, laboratory, or at field sites.
Responsibilities
Initial 6 months:
- Develop and execute a methods development roadmap, optimizing the use of analytical instruments for accurate data collection.
- Design and lead laboratory and field-scale experimental campaigns to quantify CO2 removal rates, greenhouse gas attenuation, and wastewater treatment process impacts like nitrification efficiency.
- Establish validated protocols and SOPs for lab and field operations.
- Collaborate with the Head of Operations to plan and implement a robust sample inventory and data tracking system for scalable deployment analysis.
Ongoing responsibilities:
- Lead and mentor the R&D team to ensure scientific rigor and progress in technology development.
- Foster a collaborative environment to promote team development, ensuring ongoing learning and the application of new skills in modeling, data analysis, and experimental work.
- Provide scientific direction and feedback, designing experiments and ensuring data-driven decision-making in the technology development process.
- Collaborate with operations to ensure effective data reporting and communication.
Requirements
- PhD in geochemistry, biogeochemistry, environmental sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
- Proven experience managing and leading a scientific team, ideally within a field and lab research environment.
- Strong proficiency in analytical chemistry techniques (e.g., ICP-MS,) and experience with statistical programming, geochemical modeling (e.g., Python, R, PHREEQC).
- Extensive experience in conducting field and lab research, including designing and executing experiments, collecting samples, and performing data analysis.
- Ability to lift up to 15 lbs and adapt to dynamic, fast-paced startup environments.
- Passion for addressing climate change through innovative technology solutions.
Bonus qualifications:
- Postdoctoral experience in a relevant scientific field with a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications.
- Experience in startups, especially in early-stage technology development and scaling.
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is competitive and will depend on many factors including experience, education, and expertise. We offer a competitive benefits package with insurance, vacation, retirement, and equity options.
About the company
CREW utilizes the extensive infrastructure present in wastewater treatment systems to provide robust, empirical, and durable carbon dioxide removal through enhanced weathering, while delivering process benefits to our partners.
CREW has offices and labs in New Haven, CT and offices in Brooklyn, NY. The ideal candidate will be in-person, however options are available for remote/hybrid work as needed.
CREW highlights:
- Won a carbon credit contract with the Frontier Climate Fund in Winter 2022
- Selected as 1 of 24 companies by the US Department of Energy in 2024 to be a potential supplier of high-quality carbon credits to the federal government
- Highlighted as an “Innovator of the Month” by US Senator Chris Murphy in 2024
- Selected by ImagineH2O, the leading water sector innovation accelerator in 2024
- Highlighted by Business Insider as “One of the Most Promising Climate-Tech Startups of 2023