R&D Chemist

About Sorion

Sorion is re-engineering how critical chemicals and materials are produced through a mechano-catalytic platform that replaces slow, high-energy, solvent-intensive steps with direct, high-efficiency solid-state processes. Our approach enables materials that are impractical to make by conventional means, unlocking entirely new possibilities for industry and the planet. If you want your work to become real products and help define the future of materials manufacturing, this is the place.

Role description

As R&D Chemist at Sorion, you will own the execution and continuous improvement of mechanochemical experiments that underpin our research and process development efforts. You will run experiments end-to-end, operate and maintain laboratory equipment, and generate high-quality, reproducible data that enables engineers to rapidly develop and scale new mechanochemical processes. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives at the bench and cares deeply about rigor, reproducibility, and safety in a fast-moving R&D environment.

What you'll do

• Execute mechanochemical experiments with rigor and reliability
  • Own the execution of end-to-end mechanochemical experiments, including reactant preparation, reactor operation, wet chemical methods, data collection, and sample storage
  • Handle chemicals and materials safely, following SDS guidance, PPE requirements, and chemical compatibility best practices, using fume hoods, gloveboxes, and other safety equipment correctly and consistently
  • Operate off-the-shelf and bespoke lab-scale reactor equipment, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) exactly and flagging deviations when needed
  • Operate chemical and materials characterization tools such as preparatory HPLC, FTIR, SEM-EDS, TGA, DSC, digital microscopes, particle size analyzers, Raman, NMR, ICP-MS, and PXRD
  • Interface with third-party analytical labs when needed, including sample preparation, shipment, data receipt, and organization
• Set up and iterate on experimental processes
  • Set up laboratory equipment by reading manuals, vendor documentation, and internal SOPs
  • Co-develop and refine SOPs with engineers to improve repeatability and efficiency
  • Identify opportunities to streamline experimental workflows and increase experimentation throughput
• Shape culture and ways of working
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and well-labeled laboratory environment to support safe and efficient experimentation
  • Proactively identify and address potential hazards in laboratory processes and equipment
  • Collaborate across disciplines with low ego and high curiosity
  • Play a critical role in defining Sorion's foundational culture as an early team member

What you'll bring

We're looking for a disciplined, detail-oriented experimentalist who cares deeply about high-quality laboratory execution.

• Hands-on experience executing wet and dry chemical or materials experiments (e.g., organic and inorganic synthesis)
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducibility in laboratory processes
• Experience operating laboratory equipment and following SOPs precisely
• Familiarity with chemical and materials characterization techniques (e.g., HPLC, FTIR, SEM-EDS, TGA, DSC, digital microscopes, particle size analyzers, Raman, NMR, ICP-MS, and PXRD)
• Comfort working with digital data acquisition tools and organizing data in spreadsheets (e.g., Google Sheets)
• Strong organizational skills across both physical lab spaces and digital records
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and scientists in an interdisciplinary environment
• Intrinsic motivation to learn, improve processes, and take ownership of experimental execution
• A safety-first mindset with no compromise on laboratory best practices
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment with evolving priorities
• Low ego, high curiosity, and a relentlessly resourceful spirit

Location

On-site: Houston, TX

Compensation

At Sorion, we take care of our team with competitive pay, stock options, and great benefits so you can thrive at work and beyond.

Salary range: $80,000 - $110,000 per year USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. 

Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers, and are considered part of Sorion's total compensation package. 

We cover 100% of health insurance premiums for full-time employees.