Membrane Scientist

Via Separations is a Boston-area startup dedicated to enabling process efficiency and intensification for the industrial sector. In H1 2024, Via delivered its first commercial facility and changed the narrative around market-driven energy technologies that drive value for industrial customers.  At the intersection of engineering, society, and impact, our team is passionate about making a difference and building the technology and organization to do it.  We are a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team backed by leading venture capital firms, and we are looking to add talented, mission-driven people to our cohort. 

We are passionate about transformative impact, optimistic about scientific progress, and unafraid of hard problems. We believe that our people are our unfair advantage, and drive our mission forward. We embrace the diversity of our team for creative solutions and believe the best ideas come from the intersection of disciplines and perspectives. We want you to join us!

Position Overview

Via’s Membrane Performance team is responsible for the testing, characterization and development of the membranes and materials necessary to deliver industrial filtration systems. As a Membrane Scientist within this team, you will collect and analyze data to understand critical membrane performance trends, and use this information to support the design and optimization of both existing and future systems. You will have the opportunity to work as part of a cross-functional team, spanning from bench scale R+D through to commercial systems processing hundreds of gallons per minute. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for innovation and a track record of delivering technical solutions in complex industrial environments.

• Design experiments, collect data and perform statistical analysis to understand trends in membrane performance and identify pathways for improvement
• Perform in-depth materials characterization and develop novel test methods to evaluate product and sub-component performance. Identify opportunities to increase performance and/or reduce costs
• Apply system level thinking to optimize the performance of Via’s separation systems at the lab, pilot and commercial scales
• Work with R+D and Engineering teams to understand membrane material and performance needs for both existing applications and new market segments
• Serve as a subject matter expert and support Via’s Operations team in responding to customer troubleshooting requests
• Communicate results and challenges across the organization, to both technical and non-technical staff, in order to drive product development

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or similar, with 3+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with experimental design and statistical data analysis
• Passion for hands-on lab work, including sample preparation, test system operation and process optimization
• An ability to execute effectively and make decisions with incomplete information
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Experience working with membranes, separation systems and/or materials characterization is preferred
• Commitment to promoting a culture of safety through continuous improvement
• Some travel (up to 15%) may be required
• U.S. work authorization is required for this role

• Competitive compensation package, including equity options
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Disability & Life Insurance
• 401(k)
• 12+ weeks of paid Family Leave
• Paid Flex time off
• Paid time off for Company holidays

At Via, we value and prioritize diversity of thought, access, and experiences, and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.