Research Scientist

Company Overview:

Lithos Carbon is an innovative early-stage carbon removal company and market leader in the enhanced rock weathering (ERW) space. We specialize in the development and commercial deployment of cutting-edge technologies to combat climate change and improve soil health for agricultural lands. We are seeking a dynamic and collaboration-minded individual to join our team at our global center for technology and innovation, located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Job Description:

As a Research Scientist at Lithos Carbon, you will play a key role in conducting analyses on first-of-a-kind commercial-scale ERW datasets to drive new scientific and commercial success. You will interpret complex geochemical results from large soil datasets that include agronomic and elemental characterization information. Furthermore, you will work directly with the academic and commercial partners Lithos has established to-date, including professors at academic institutions, researchers at national laboratories, and scientific leaders at our industry partners. As such, we are seeking a candidate who is a strong, independent thinker and who is also deeply committed to being a team player. 

You will report directly to the Head of Research Partnerships. This position requires significant connection and trust-building with the Science team, and will require in-person meetings and collaboration with the Lithos team located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Outstanding candidates will also have capability to travel alongside the Head of Research Partnerships to summits, key stakeholder meetings, and conferences regularly throughout the year.

Key Responsibilities:

• Scientific Expertise: Deep understanding of soil geochemistry, with an ability to conduct monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) calculations based on elemental mass balance principles. Understanding of nutrient cycling within terrestrial systems is desirable but not required.
• Research Network: Ability to bring in new research collaborations with existing networks established by the candidate. Lithos is always seeking creative ways to build partnerships, which requires a diverse set of partners (i.e. academic institution, national lab, policy, or other industry/commercial partners).

• Science Communicator: Excellent communication skills to enable (1) regular internal reporting on Lithos’ research outcomes and (2) consistent leadership in peer-review publishing (ranging from full articles to rapid communications).

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will have a PhD or Masters Degree in soil science, geochemistry, or a relevant technical subject matter, complemented by specific experiences in research program and project management.

• Early career stage applicants are encouraged, ideally with 2-3 years’ experience or equivalent education.

• Proven ability to work independently to analyze complex datasets and clearly present outcomes.

• Clear discernment and tracking of what key ERW research topics should be emphasized.

• Basic geochemical modeling such as aqueous speciation calculations is strongly desired (i.e. PHREEQC).

Desirable Traits: humble, attentive, motivated, eager, solution-minded, and deeply passionate about CDR and geochemistry.

• Competitive salary (the posted annual salary range for this role is $90,000 - $115,000) and equity compensation

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 401k plan

• Flexible vacation policy