Lead Plant Scientist

Western Chemicals is building out our science team, starting with a plant scientist. The most
ideal candidate will have a PhD (or post-doc experience) that involved optimization of duckweed
(any species) for any purpose as demonstrated by publications. We will also consider
applicants with a Masters in the above area, or a PhD doing similar work with other aquatic
plants. This position will work closely with the CSO to run our duckweed optimization research,
with increasing autonomy over time. Duckweed optimization will be specifically focused on
maximizing biomass throughput per acre per year, maximizing nutrient uptake (Nitrogen &
Phosphorus) per acre per year, and maximizing starch fraction in the duckweed biomass.

A huge plus would include experience running and maintaining HPLCs (any manufacturer).
This will be a hands on job and will require personally performing some or all of the work at our
headquarters in El Segundo, CA. This position will require periodic travel to our pilot site in
Crockett, Texas, and future sites as the company grows.

Specific job title, salary, and equity will depend on education and experience, but the expected
pay range is $75,000 - $120,000.

Notes

• Direct experience with duckweed is highly preferred, but not strictly required. We are
  willing to sacrifice this requirement for a super mission-aligned candidate that is willing to
  learn fast on the job and grow/develop with the company.
• We think it will be ideal for this role to be based at our El Segundo R&D facility, but we
  can also consider basing the role in Texas if this is advantageous for our target
  candidate(s). In either case, some travel will be required.
• This role reports directly to CSO and will involve some team leadership responsibility as
  we continue building out our science department with junior staff.
• Salary ranges are very flexible, they are included for reference only.

About Western Chemicals

Western Chemicals is turning wastewater into the world's cheapest fuels