Research Scientist at Octavia Carbon
Role: Research Scientist – Dac Sorbent
Chemistry
Job type: Full-Time – On-site
Location: Eastern Bypass Rd, Ruai – Nairobi, Kenya
Gross Salary: Kshs 47,000
About Role:
Direct Air Capture is fundamentally a chemistry problem
operating under extreme constraints: very low CO₂ concentrations (~400–450
ppm), varying humidity, continuous exposure to oxygen, and the need for
thousands to tens-of-thousands of stable captures–release cycles. We are
seeking a curious, analytically strong Research Scientist to contribute to the
development and evaluation of solid CO₂ sorbent materials. The role centers on
sorbent chemistry, adsorption and regeneration behavior, degradation mechanisms,
and experimental rigor translating laboratory observations into reliable
insights that guide material improvement and scale-up decisions
This is a hands-on, lab-based role for an early-career
scientist eager to work on real materials, real data, and real-world material
behavior under realistic operating conditions, while collaborating with
internationally recognized scientists from leading global universities and
research institutions to tackle the fundamental challenges limiting commercial
deployment of Direct Air Capture.
This is an entry-level Research Scientist role that begins
with an initial 3-month internship, with a clear pathway to
full-time employment based on demonstrated experimental capability,
scientific judgment, and growth in independence. For your application
to be considered, your CV should accompany the assignment below.
Key Responsibilities:
- Sorbent
Chemistry & Performance:
Develop and evaluate solid CO₂ sorbents (e.g., amine-based and porous materials), focusing on equilibrium binding, kinetics, and selectivity at ~400–450 ppm CO₂ in humid air. - Adsorption,
Regeneration & Cycling:
Perform cyclic adsorption–desorption experiments to quantify CO₂ capacity, breakthrough behavior, regeneration energy, and performance decay under realistic DAC operating conditions. - Degradation
& Stability Analysis:
Identify and investigate sorbent degradation mechanisms, including amine volatilization and oxidative or thermal degradation, and assess material- and process-level mitigation strategies. - Experimental
Design & Root-Cause Investigation:
Design controlled, hypothesis-driven experiments to diagnose unexpected chemical or material behavior (e.g., changes in material color) and establish clear cause-and-effect relationships. - Analytical
Data & Insight Generation:
Apply analytical techniques (e.g., breakthrough analysis, TGA/DSC, FTIR, gas analysis) and quantitative data analysis to generate reliable, decision-ready insights for material improvement and scale-up.
Technical Competencies
- Thermodynamics
& Kinetics: Strong
grasp of chemical thermodynamics, equilibria, reaction rate laws, and
transport processes to interpret stability, reversibility, and
time-dependent behavior.
- Reactivity
& Degradation: Knowledge
of functional-group chemistry, acid–base behaviour,
structure–reactivity relationships, and common degradation pathways in
polymers.
- Analytical
Chemistry: Experience
developing and validating methods (e.g., spectroscopy, thermal
analysis) to generate chemically meaningful insights from complex systems.
- Experimental
Design & Data Analysis: Ability to design controlled
experiments, troubleshoot anomalies, and analyze data quantitatively
(Excel/Python).
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s
degree in chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry
Experience
- 0–2
years of relevant experience.
- Strong
undergraduate research projects, laboratory theses, or relevant
internships are highly valued.
- Prior Direct Air
Capture experience is not required.
Desired Attributes
- Strong
intellectual curiosity and a habit of asking why results behave the way
they do.
- High
standards for data quality, reproducibility, and scientific
integrity.
- Iterative
serial problem solver who thrives on tackling complex scientific
problems
Submission Guidelines.
Kindly submit both the completed assessment
and your CV by 23:59hrs on Monday, 12th January 2026.
HR Associate – Intern
Position overview
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented HR Associate
Intern to join our growing team. This is an exciting opportunity for an
early-career HR professional to learn by doing. As our HR Associate Intern,
you’ll work closely with the our team and be exposed to the full employee
experience — from recruitment and onboarding to engagement and compliance.
You’ll support the creation of systems, solve day-to-day people-related
challenges, and help us build a smooth, people-first HR function. This is the
kind of role where you grow fast by showing up with curiosity, precision, and a
can-do attitude.
Safety Officer
Position Summary:
We are looking for a dedicated and proactive Safety Officer
to ensure a safe working environment across our operations, as the company is
committed to fostering a culture of safety, compliance, and operational
excellence. The Safety Officer will be responsible for managing a broad range
of safety protocols, training programs, and audits to reduce risks related to
working at heights, confined spaces, chemical hazards, machinery, electrical
systems, and more. This role requires a strong communicator who can enforce
safety policies, promote a strong safety culture, and adhere to the
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 2007.
Growth Lead
Position Summary:
Octavia Carbon is seeking a highly organized and
detail-oriented Growth Lead to join our team. The ideal candidate will be
a self-starter with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable
of managing a variety of administrative tasks efficiently while supporting our
mission of ending the fossil fuel age. As a Growth Lead at Octavia Carbon, you
will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our business,
providing essential support to our team, and contributing to the success of our
climate-focused initiatives.