We are seeking a Founder in Residence / Technical & Commercial Lead to join our venture-backed deep-tech startup developing a patent-pending biobased superabsorbent polymer. This is a unique opportunity for a mission-driven individual to own both the technical development and commercial roadmap of a transformative sustainable material. You will lead the early development of the strategy and technical work and executing the roadmap and requirements from lab to pilot, hiring and leading the technical team, raising capital, and building partnerships with the end goal to bring a sustainable alternative to market.

Technical Leadership & R&D Execution

• Lead all lab-scale R&D activities, including synthesis, characterisation (e.g., swelling ratios, degradation), and formulation of biobased absorbent polymers.
• Design and manage scale-up experiments and protocols, enabling translation from bench to pilot (e.g., process optimisation, reactor design, purification).
• Establish lab operations: SOPs, infrastructure, procurement, safety (COSHH, H&S), and documentation.
• Set up and manage a high-performance technical team; recruit and mentor technical hires.
  
  

Scale-Up & Process Development

• Define the technical roadmap from lab to pilot to commercial manufacturing.
• Lead feasibility and process engineering activities for industrial production (batch/continuous processes, raw material sourcing, TEA/cost modeling).
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners, research institutions, and CROs to accelerate TRL progression.
  
  

Commercial Strategy & Business Development

• Define and execute the go-to-market strategy and identify early beachhead markets in hygiene, agriculture, packaging, and beyond.
• Lead business development efforts: establish strategic partnerships with suppliers, manufacturers, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Support or lead fundraising efforts (investor outreach, pitch development, grant applications).
• Translate technical progress into investor- and market-facing language, aligning R&D with business milestones.
  
  

Company Building & Operations

• Work closely with the CEO, IP holders, and advisors to co-develop the company’s technical and commercial vision.
• Help establish core company infrastructure: lab, logistics, compliance, and regulatory pathways (e.g., materials in consumer products).

Lead IP strategy, techno-economic assessments, and regulatory plans.

• PhD Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years' experience in industrial R&D, materials startups, or scale-up environments, with a strong focus on polymer synthesis and commercialisation.
• Proven success in taking a polymer or materials technology from lab to pilot or commercial scale.
• Exposure to free-radical polymerisation, crosslinking, hydrogels, or biodegradable polymers.
• Experience with techno-economic assessments (TEA), cost modeling, or commercial process design.
• Entrepreneurial mindset; previous experience in early-stage ventures, founder programmes (e.g., Carbon13, EF, Deep Science Ventures), or innovation leadership roles.
• Comfortable switching between deep technical work and high-level business strategy.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including investors, partners, and team members.
• Knowledge of the UK clean tech innovation ecosystem is a strong plus.

This is a foundational role in a high-impact, deep-tech startup solving a pressing environmental problem: replacing conventional superabsorbents with a sustainable, scalable alternative. You’ll help build the company from the ground up, shaping the product, team, strategy, and mission.

You’ll work alongside world-class advisors, investors, and researchers to bring this patented material to life with significant autonomy, real ownership, and a clear track to technical and executive leadership.

Perks

• A job with real purpose, with a passionate team and high-performance culture.
• 25 days holiday (excl. Bank holidays), after 4 years at Mooncup you will receive 29 days of holiday (excl. Bank holidays).
• Company Pension scheme
• State of the art lab and facilities at Imperial
• Flexible hours so you can start earlier or finish later to fit around your life.

Please apply by sharing your CV and/or portfolio with Charlie Cohen (charlie@wearemooncup.com) using the subject line “R&D Lead” including any additional information you wish to share in the body of the email. The process will then include an interview with Charlie (Mooncup CEO), a task, followed by a culture interview with other members of the team.

&SISTERS Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.