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Description
Trophos Energy is a venture-backed startup company that is developing microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based energy solutions to provide reliable, affordable, clean and scalable energy solutions. Trophos, based in Cambridge, MA, is a spin-out of Harvard University and is backed by leading investors and executives in renewable energy and clean technology industry.
Position Overview:
We are hiring a top-tier team of scientists to rapidly advance our multi-disciplinary R&D programs in a fast-paced, exciting and fun work environment. We are looking for highly motivated individuals that thrive on being challenged and working in a highly collaborative environment to conduct rigorous, cutting edge science in an effort to realize the full potential of microbial fuel cells to address the world's energy needs.
Responsibilities:
General research in the broad field of Microbial Fuel Cells; including microbiology, material science, electro-chemistry and environmental/soil sciences. Responsibilities include research planning, academic review, laboratory bench work and field studies.
Work Performed:
- Investigation of Microbial Fuel Cell components
- Analysis of soil constituencies and environmental factors
- Investigation of microbial bio-films, electro-chemistry and catabolization processes
- Study of different anode and cathode materials, surface properties and construction
- Field experimentation with in-situ MFC systems
- Development of lab and field-based MFC systems
- Development of a laboratory test platform including baseline MFC, evaluation framework and instrumentation and environmental simulations..
- Develop improvements in components (anode, cathode, packaging) and overall system architecture
- Participate in the design, construction and evaluation of application-specific MFC systems
- Development and execution of a broad research plan, including:
- Development of a robust research plan using Design of Experiments or other analytic framework.
- Interaction and collaboration with other researchers and academics in field
- Management of 3rd-party contractors and collaborators
- Participate in the development of an IP strategy including patents and proprietary processes
Qualifications:
- PhD or equivalent in microbiology, material science, chemistry or related field required.
- Minimum 3 years of experimental bench work and working knowledge of key experimental tools and processes, including nucleic acid extraction, advanced molecular biological skills (e.g. PCR, in situ hybridization, gene expression assays), familiarity and experience with electrochemical approaches (e.g. cyclic voltammetry, potentiometry), basic laboratory analytical skills (e.g. pH, spectrophotometry)
- Understanding of statistics and design of experiments (DOE) methods
- Familiarity with the current art of Microbial Fuel Cells is strongly desired
- Experience developing complex, multi-disciplinary systems is desired.
- Understanding of analog electronic and power systems is desired, but not required
Other requirements:
- Looking for flexible, high-energy, hard-working candidates who are interested in working in a startup/resource-constrained environment. Excellent communications skills, record of academic publication in relevant field.