Research Scientist

About CURA

CURA is a Canadian cleantech startup pioneering electrochemical cement decarbonization. Our mission is to eliminate process emissions at the source by electrifying and reinventing how cement is made. We're developing a breakthrough acid/base electrolyzer to split limestone into lime and pure CO₂—unlocking a low-carbon future for one of the world's most emissions-intensive industries.

We are building a team of inventors, builders, and systems thinkers who thrive at the intersection of electrochemistry, materials, and industrial scale-up.

The Role

We're seeking a Research Scientist to lead the development and optimization of redox electrolytes. This role focuses on the fundamental electrochemistry that drives CURA's process: voltage efficiency, mediator stability, pH separation, and long-duration cycling.

You will own the R&D pipeline for mediator discovery, synthesis, performance screening, and scale-up. Working closely with the Electrolyzer Engineer and CTO, you will help design the chemistry that makes the electrolyzer run faster, cheaper, and more efficiently.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the core chemistry of a first-of-its-kind industrial technology.

• Lead R&D campaigns to optimize redox mediators, including stability, solubility, redox potential, crossover behavior, and current density limits
• Develop and test new redox-active molecules, with a focus on quinones, organic dyes, and other simple organic redox couples
• Run electrochemical experiments such as cyclic voltammetry, EIS, galvanostatic cycling, and pH-splitting evaluations
• Improve system voltage and energy efficiency through electrolyte engineering, kinetics tuning, and membrane/interface interactions
• Design and maintain experimental setups, including flow cells, benchtop electrolyzers, and long-duration test rigs
• Collaborate with the Electrolyzer Engineer on cell architecture and stack designs that optimize electrolyte performance
• Evaluate degradation pathways and propose chemical or engineering solutions to improve mediator lifetime
• Synthesize and characterize organic redox molecules, including purification and analytical validation (NMR, GC/MS, HPLC, UV–Vis)
• Develop models to correlate concentration, mass transport, and kinetics to cell voltage and efficiency
• Generate technical documentation, including experimental plans, test reports, and recommendations for scale-up

• PhD or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, or related field
• Strong hands-on experience in electrochemical R&D, including CV, EIS, and flow cell testing. Experience with flow batteries, redox mediators, or electrochemical separations
• Experience with synthesis of organic redox mediators, including quinones, dyes, or similar small-molecule systems
• Deep understanding of redox chemistry, electron transfer kinetics, and electrolyte design. Familiarity with electrolyzer, fuel cell, or flow-cell architectures. Experience with membrane interactions, ion-exchange systems, or pH gradients
• COMSOL or multiphysics modeling experience
• Ability to design and execute complex experimental programs with minimal oversight
• Experience characterizing molecules using analytical chemistry tools (NMR, FTIR, mass spec, UV–Vis, etc.)
• Strong data analysis and scientific communication skills
• A builder mindset—comfortable iterating rapidly across chemistry, hardware, and process flows
• Passion for tackling climate-scale challenges through electrochemistry

• The opportunity to invent and own the core chemistry behind CURA's breakthrough decarbonization technology
• A collaborative team working across electrochemistry, process engineering, and industrial design
• Competitive salary + meaningful early-stage equity
• Unlimited vacation and a flexible, mission-driven culture
• A chance to make a measurable impact on global climate solutions