aqueris (formerly NovNat Tech)
Senior MOF Chemist
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Company Description
aqueris™ (formerly NovNat Tech) develops next-generation sorbent materials and system-level solutions for industrial water harvesting and advanced moisture-management applications. The company’s mission is to help industry reduce energy use, improve process efficiency, and support more sustainable, resilient operations through Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) innovation. aqueris partners with OEMs and industrial leaders to integrate MOF-based materials into real-world systems, including dehumidification, compressed air drying, water harvesting, and environmental control. As the company transitions from R&D to commercial deployment, it is focused on commercializing advanced MOFs, building a scalable product platform, and delivering clear industrial value in efficiency, cost savings, sustainability, and performance. Team members work in a setting that combines rigorous materials science and engineering with a strong commercial focus on solving real operational challenges.
Role Description
We are seeking an experienced MOF chemist / materials scientist to lead the design and development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for atmospheric water harvesting, air drying, and dehumidification applications.
This is a hands-on, application-driven R&D leadership role in a startup environment where MOFs are engineered from first principles to perform under real atmospheric conditions. Your work will focus on designing materials that enable efficient and repeatable water adsorption from air and humidity-controlled environments.
You will be part of a multidisciplinary team covering the full MOF development pipeline, from molecular design to working systems.
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You will be working in a highly specialized team covering all aspects of MOF technology, including:
- MOF design and synthesis – development of new frameworks and functional materials
- MOF integration – incorporation of MOFs into engineered structures and devices
- MOF-based systems engineering – translation of materials into working atmospheric water harvesting and dehumidification systems.
This role focuses primarily on MOF design for performance, ensuring materials are optimized for downstream integration and system-level use.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and synthesize MOFs optimized for water adsorption from atmospheric humidity
- Develop materials for: Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH), Air drying systems, and Dehumidification technologies
- Engineer MOFs with emphasis on:
- Water vapor adsorption isotherms across relevant humidity ranges
- Sharp adsorption–desorption switching behavior
- High cyclic stability and long-term performance
- Efficient regeneration under thermal or pressure swing conditions
- Lead experimental design and execution of MOF synthesis and modification
- Perform and interpret key characterization and adsorption studies, including:
- Water vapor adsorption isotherms, XRD, BET surface area, SEM/TEM, FTIR, TGA, DSC (as applicable)
- Establish structure–property–performance relationships for humidity-driven adsorption
- Design materials starting from target atmospheric conditions and system requirements
- Collaborate closely with integration and systems engineers to ensure MOFs translate effectively into working devices
- Contribute to shaping the overall MOF materials strategy within the startup.
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Qualifications
- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
- Strong industrial or applied R&D experience in MOFs or porous adsorption materials
- Demonstrated expertise in:
- MOF synthesis and structural design
- Vapor or gas adsorption science (water vapor experience strongly preferred)
- Material characterization techniques
- Experience working with materials under humid or cyclic adsorption conditions
- Ability to design materials based on application and system-level requirements
Preferred Experience
- Direct experience in: Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH)
- Water vapor adsorption in MOFs or porous frameworks
- Dehumidification or humidity control technologies
- Strong understanding of adsorption behavior:
- Isotherms, hysteresis, step-shaped adsorption
- Heat of adsorption and regeneration cycles
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams bridging materials and systems engineering
What We Offer
- Opportunity to build a next-generation MOF platform for atmospheric water harvesting technologies
- Work within a multidisciplinary team spanning materials design, integration, and full system development
- High-impact role in an early-stage startup addressing water and climate challenges
- Freedom to define core material strategy and research direction
- Competitive compensation and equity participation
- Private health insurance
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