Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States · On-site
At MacroCycle, we’re building a new approach to textile recycling. Today, most textiles end up in landfills or are incinerated, but our SolvoGenesis™ technology transforms that waste back into high-quality polyester fibe…
Skills: Polymer chemistry, Separation science, Chemical engineering, Materials science, PET
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The Process Scientist will develop new chemistries to purify and upgrade polyester waste while designing and running lab-scale chemical reactions. They will also collaborate on technical documentation, represent the company at conferences, and interface directly with customers to build trust in the technology.
Candidates must hold a PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering with at least 5 years of hands-on experimental chemistry experience. Proficiency in polymer purification and analytical techniques such as NMR, GPC, and LC-MS is required.
At MacroCycle, we’re building a new approach to textile recycling. Today, most textiles end up in landfills or are incinerated, but our SolvoGenesis™ technology transforms that waste back into high-quality polyester fibers. By closing the loop on polyester, we’re helping to reduce landfill waste, lower production emissions, and move the textile industry toward a truly circular future.
You'll join a lean, hands-on R&D team working directly with our CTO and founders. As one of MacroCycle's early scientific hires, you'll help define our experimental processes and see your work move quickly from bench-scale discovery to real-world application with our customers.
Develop new chemistries to purify and upgrade various blended polyester wastes delivered by MacroCycle supply chain partners and customers
Design and run lab-scale chemical reactions
Analyze intermediates and products using appropriate analytical techniques
Critically evaluate results, identify and troubleshoot challenges, and plan experiments
Review relevant literature to inform new synthesis approaches
Collaborate on grants, patents, and white papers
Engage directly with fashion and textile customers, sharing results and leading experimental work to build trust in our technology
Represent MacroCycle at public or scientific conferences
Report directly to our CTO and share findings with the broader team
A background in polymer and separation science (academic or industrial R&D) is required. Prior textile experience is a bonus, but we are happy to train the right candidate.
PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering, ideally familiar with PET, Spandex, Cotton, Dyes, Pigments
5+ years of hands-on experimental chemistry experience (PhD years count)
Familiarity with polymer purification techniques: precipitation, filtration, adsorption, liquid/solid separation, distillation
Familiarity with analytical techniques such as NMR, GPC, GC, LC-MS, FTIR, ICP, DSC, or MALDI-TOF, and chemistry software like ChemDraw or MestreNova
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings clearly through graphs and slides
Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, with a commitment to careful, high-quality lab work
Ability to interface with technicians, the company founders, and customer representatives
A can-do mindset and enthusiasm for tackling new challenges
Experience scaling chemical processes from bench-top to pilot or production scale, particularly in polymer purification or separation systems
Familiarity with PET, spandex, cotton, dyes, or pigments
Generous Paid Time Off: 3 weeks PTO (increasing to 4 weeks after year 1), plus 8 paid holidays and a paid company closure between Christmas and New Year's
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance
Commuter stipend and annual BlueBikes membership
Competitive and experience-guided compensation, including equity
Retirement savings platform
We encourage and protect time off: your well-being matters
Regular team lunches and office snacks
Access to networking events and innovation hubs in the Harvard/MIT area
The chance to help shape a fast-growing MIT startup with real commercial traction
Position open until filled.
MacroCycle is committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those who may not meet every listed qualification, to apply.
Circular Plastics. Zero Carbon.
At MacroCycle, we revive end-of-life plastics. We will protect our world through our circular, sustainable, zero-carbon plastic upcycling process. With leading experts in polymer chemistry and plastics engineering from MIT, ETH Zurich and Politecnico di Milano on our team, we take plastic waste in the form of bottles, food trays and polyester textiles, and produce our first product, virgin-grade mPET (MacroCycle-PET) resin. All with zero carbon emissions, through MacroCycle's net-zero and efficient low energy process. Get in touch: - We're hiring - get in touch if you have a hands-on degree in plastics processing or a PhD in Polymer Chemistry / Engineering - Brands & Investors - please visit and reach out through https://macrocycle.tech/
Offices: Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, US
Circular Plastics. Zero Carbon.
At MacroCycle, we revive end-of-life plastics. We will protect our world through our circular, sustainable, zero-carbon plastic upcycling process. With leading experts in polymer chemistry and plastics engineering from MIT, ETH Zurich and Politecnico di Milano on our team, we take plastic waste in the form of bottles, food trays and polyester textiles, and produce our first product, virgin-grade mPET (MacroCycle-PET) resin. All with zero carbon emissions, through MacroCycle's net-zero and efficient low energy process. Get in touch: - We're hiring - get in touch if you have a hands-on degree in plastics processing or a PhD in Polymer Chemistry / Engineering - Brands & Investors - please visit and reach out through https://macrocycle.tech/
Offices: Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, US
