R&D scientist in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Junior R&D scientist in Heterogeneous Catalysis  

About Fairbrics 

At Fairbrics, we are transforming the textile industry by converting CO₂ emissions from heavy industries into sustainable polyester fabrics. With a team of around thirty people based in France and Belgium, we are backed by top climate tech investors and supported by industry leaders like H&M. Our mission is to create low-carbon, circular manufacturing processes that pioneer change in an industry responsible for over a billion tons of GHG emissions annually—more than international flights and shipping combined. 

What We Offer 

If you are dreaming of a job where: 

· You shape technology and have a lasting impact on climate solutions, 

· Work alongside bright minds from around the world in a collaborative lab, 

· Enjoy endless opportunities for career development, 

… then Fairbrics could be the perfect place for you. 

Your mission 

Working closely with our R&D team, you will be responsible for developing, testing, and optimizing catalytic processes to enhance circularity in the textile industry. Key tasks include: 

• Running lab-scale reactions in batch and flow reactors, analysing data to determine optimal reaction conditions. 

• Manufacturing, characterizing, and optimizing heterogeneous. 

• Conducting catalyst degradation studies with solid-phase techniques (XRD, XPS, SEM, BET, FTIR, Raman, solid NMR, etc.) to improve efficiency. 

• Troubleshooting and maintaining lab equipment, ensuring consistent, safe, and economically efficient processes. 

• Preparing technical reports and sharing results through our established communication channels. 

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and ensure alignment with Fairbrics' mission. 

About you 

We are seeking a junior R&D scientist with an MS or PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering who has experience in catalysis and a solid foundation in the rational design of heterogeneous catalysts. In this role, you will join two team members in Fairbrics' New Products Group, working within a multidisciplinary team focused on CO₂ valorization and monomer recovery from end-of-life plastics. The right candidate will bring both technical expertise and hands-on experience in catalysis, with a strong background in catalyst development, analysis, and performance evaluation. You bring: 

• Proven experience in catalysis, including hands-on laboratory-scale development and process optimization. 
• Demonstrated ability to design, synthesize, and evaluate heterogeneous catalysts for industrially important processes. 
• Practical knowledge of catalytic gas-phase transformations, specifically in the CO₂ valorization field (modified Fischer-Tropsch, hydrogenation of CO2, methanol synthesis, etc). 
• Familiarity with the catalytic depolymerization of plastics is advantageous for work involving recycling and end-of-life material recovery. 
• Strong skills in quantifying gas and liquid reaction components, proficient in using gas chromatography (GC-MS and micro-GC-TCD) for accurate analysis. 
• Ability to troubleshoot, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instruments, ensuring consistent, high-quality data collection. 
• Skilled in assessing the catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts, including evaluations of yield, selectivity, and overall catalytic activity. 
• Experience in establishing structure-to-activity relationships to improve catalytic efficiency, stability, and scalability. 
• Competency in catalyst degradation studies using solid-state characterization techniques such as XRD, XPS, SEM, BET, FTIR, Raman, and solid-state NMR to investigate catalyst properties and improve performance. 

Additional Skills and Attributes 

Beyond technical competencies, the successful candidate should possess the following skills and qualities: 

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues and develop innovative solutions independently. 
• Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 
• Highly motivated, with a proactive approach to learning and problem-solving, adaptable to the demands of an entrepreneurial and rapidly evolving environment. 
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail in both experimental procedures and data management. 
• Fluent in English; proficiency in French is advantageous for effective communication within the team and with external collaborators. 

Ready to Join Us? 

Help us redefine sustainable fashion and build the next generation of low-carbon textiles.  

If you are ready to make a real difference, apply today!