Principal Scientist – Catalysis

Deep-tech clean energy startup | NSW | Relocation and visa support available A genuinely novel catalyst, and the chance to make it work

Our client is a venture-backed Australian startup developing a breakthrough process that could change how one of the world’s most important industrial chemicals is made. It’s not an incremental improvement. If it succeeds, it could become the new standard for an entire global industry.

At the heart of it is a genuinely novel catalyst with unusual behaviour. They’re looking for a Principal Scientist to build a deep understanding of how it works and drive it from the lab to pilot scale.

The role

Reporting to the CEO, you’ll lead scientific R&D; on the catalyst. This is a hands-on leadership role, not an R&D; management one: expect to spend most of your time in the lab, running experiments, analysing data and solving problems alongside a small, capable team.

You will:

- Guide catalyst synthesis, screening, optimisation and scale-up, and lead characterisation to build a mechanistic understanding of how the catalyst behaves
- Diagnose unexpected results and connect findings across different analytical techniques
- Design and run rapid experiments with the equipment and materials on hand
- Lead and develop a growing team of research scientists and engineers




- Contribute to patents, technical strategy and R&D; planning

About you

- PhD in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering or a related field. Exceptional industry experience will also be considered
- Deep expertise in heterogeneous catalysis and catalyst characterisation
- Ideally, experience in industrial catalyst R&D;, with exposure to taking catalysts towards commercial use
- A track record of solving hard, unfamiliar scientific problems, especially when things aren’t working
- Comfortable working autonomously in a fast-moving, early-stage environment
- Senior scientists ready to step into leadership are encouraged to apply

Experience with ammonia synthesis, nitrogen activation, hydrogenation, scale-up, or catalyst and process modelling would be a strong advantage.

What’s on offer

- Competitive base salary plus a meaningful equity stake
- A generous relocation package and visa sponsorship for international candidates
- Flexible working hours
- A explicit path to grow with the company, potentially into a Chief Scientist role
- The chance to put your name to a technology with genuine global impact

To learn more, apply here or contact Julian at Profound People for a confidential conversation.

📌 Principal Scientist – Catalysis (New South Wales)
🏢 ProFound People
📍 New South Wales