Wastewater Technology & Research Scientist

Connecticut Innovations is hiring a Wastewater Technology & Research Scientist for CREW Carbon in New Haven, CT. The role involves executing lab and field experiments to optimize carbon dioxide removal technology in wastewater treatment. Candidates should have experience in wastewater process design or environmental chemistry. Responsibilities include designing experiments, maintaining analytical instruments, and collaborating with engineering teams to enhance system performance.
Are you ready to join Connecticut Innovation’s vibrant community of innovators? Connecticut Innovations (“CI”) is Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm, and we are passionate about serving our portfolio of 220+ companies across various industries, with strengths in life sciences, technology, and climate tech.

Come join one of our quickly growing portfolio companies, Home | CREW Carbon!

CREW Carbon Overview

We are a venture-backed, early-stage company developed at Yale University, commercializing research conducted by Prof. Noah Planavsky and Dr. Joachim Katchinoff to utilize key biogeochemical reactions to make positive climate impact while making wastewater treatment more effective. We use our patented technology to enhance the natural power of minerals to help treat wastewater and store carbon dioxide permanently using a low-cost solution combined with best-in-class monitoring and modeling for the robust quantification of CO2 removed. Our approach can provide millions of dollars in chemical cost savings, new revenue streams, and significant climate impact to the wastewater sector. CREW is currently deployed in the US and Germany, with new projects launching across the world.

We are funded by Counteract, ReGen, Ponderosa, Connecticut Innovations and others. We've secured large contracts with the premier buyers of carbon credits through the Frontier Climate Fund (Stripe, Shopify, Autodesk, McKinsey, among others) and have been selected by the Department of Energy as one of the few potential suppliers of high-quality carbon credits to the federal government.

About The Role

CREW is seeking a highly motivated Wastewater Technology & Research Scientist to execute lab and field-based operations and research. This role will involve successfully executing benchtop and plant-scale experiments, designing experimental approaches, generating and interpreting empirical data, and utilizing existing data sets to optimize our carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology and quantify its impact on wastewater treatment processes. This role is ideal for someone with experience applying wastewater process design or environmental chemistry in both the field and in the lab. You will play a critical role in refining CREW’s enhanced weathering process in wastewater to ensure analytical rigor while supporting our mission to optimize wastewater treatment for removing CO2.

This is a hands-on role, requiring the initiative to take ownership of projects, drive experiments forward, and provide insights that help scale our technology.

Laboratory Research & Instrumentation:
• Design, execute, and refine lab and field experiments to analyze nitrogen cycling, carbonate chemistry, and aqueous and solid mass balance in wastewater settings.
• Run and maintain analytical instruments (e.g., ICP-MS, IC, TOC analyzers, spectrophotometers) for high-precision chemical measurements.
• Maintain existing SOPs.

Field Work & System Optimization:
• Conduct on-site sampling and in-field measurements under varying environmental conditions.
• Analyze field data in real-time and work with the engineering team to troubleshoot issues and optimize performance of both CREW systems and wastewater facilities.
• Work directly with engineering and operations teams to support CREW’s deployments at partnering utility sites.

Data Analysis & Process Improvement:
• Detail orientated approach to data management and storage.
• Rapidly interpret lab and field data to improve system efficiency.
• Use wastewater process and biogeochemical principles to optimize CREW’s pH and alkalinity optimization methodology.
• Lead mass balance modeling of existing partner utility treatment process, as well as experimental models based on implementing CREW’s technology and quantifying carbon removal.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with scientists, engineers, and project managers to ensure seamless integration of lab and field insights
• Create visual representations of data and communicate findings clearly through reports, presentations, and technical documentation.

Experience Requirements
• 5+ years experience in Wastewater Treatment, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Biogeochemistry, or a related field.
• Proficiency in mass balance modeling (BioWin, GPS-X, or SUMO).
• Proficiency in visualizations to interpret and present data to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of biological nutrient removal (BNR), including nitrification/denitrification, phosphorus removal, and the technologies utilized in wastewater plants to support BNR.
• Understanding of chemical and physical treatment in municipal and industrial wastewater.
• Experience in carbonate chemistry, or biochemistry in the context of wastewater.
• Hands-on experience operating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation for biological and chemical analysis.
• Strong willingness to work in the field under demanding conditions and adapt quickly to new environments.
• Ability to take initiative and be the first to raise a hand to solve problems and lead analytical efforts.

Bonus Qualifications
• M.S. or PhD a relevant field.
• Experience deploying and testing environmental technologies in municipal or industrial processes.
• Proficiency in qPCR and gene sequencing bacteria profiling.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is competitive and will depend on many factors including experience, education, and expertise. We offer a competitive benefits package with insurance, vacation, retirement, and equity options.

CREW Highlights
• Signed a carbon credit offtake agreement with the Frontier Climate Fund in 2024
• Selected as 1 of 24 companies by the US Department of Energy in 2024 to be a potential supplier of high-quality carbon credits to the federal government
• Highlighted as an “Innovator of the Month” by US Senator Chris Murphy in 2024
• Selected by ImagineH2O, the leading water sector innovation accelerator in 2024
• Highlighted by Business Insider as “One of the Most Promising Climate-Tech Startups of 2023

CREW Carbon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We have strict wage minimums, generous benefits, and personal leave policies. Our goal is to provide safe, rewarding, and empowering work environments for all who interact with our company.