ZwitterCo is announcing an immediate opening for a Research Assistant seeking a high-impact, collaborative role in a rapidly expanding business. The candidate will play a key role in the development and characterization of ZwitterCo’s breakthrough membranes. Candidates with experience in organic and/or polymer chemistry, membrane science, and/or materials characterization are particularly encouraged to apply.

 The Research Assistant will be responsible for conducting research, designing experiments for synthesis and membrane development, and a variety of other functions in ZwitterCo’s R&D lab. 

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting research into new and improved chemistry platforms for achieving membrane product performance goals

• Hand coating membranes from R&D polymer batches and characterizing material properties

• Developing new methods to characterize membranes depending on function and type

• Performance testing for new membranes

• Operating laboratory equipment such as UV/Vis, FTIR, contact angle measurements, etc.

• Analyzing data and making recommendations for next steps based on results from experiments

• Establishing SOPs for routine R&D procedures

Critical Success Factors

Successful candidates will:

• Be methodical with excellent attention to detail

• Readily approach test results through a critical lens

• Be well-versed in laboratory practices

• Have a keen interest in environmental and water technologies

Qualifications

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a similar field with at least 1 year of hands-on laboratory experience. 

Additional qualifications:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of organic/polymer synthesis and characterization

• Experience with several analytical chemistry techniques

• Detailed knowledge of operation of industrial roll-to-roll coating equipment

• Basic statistical analysis (mean, standard deviations, confidence intervals)

• Proficient in tools relevant to these fields, such as MS Excel and laboratory notebook maintenance

• Flexibility to adapt to changes in lab operations, priorities, or schedules

This is a full-time position on-site in Woburn, MA, and reports directly to the Senior Manager of Technology Development.

Travel for this role is expected to be between 0% – 5%. 

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and include equity and benefits.