Head of Science

Job Summary

As the Head of Science, you will serve as the primary scientific authority on carbon removal. Your role is to ensure the scientific rigor, credibility, and integrity of the platform’s offerings. You will lead due diligence on various removal projects, develop frameworks for quantification and verification, and oversee the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) processes. This is a founding-team role, offering the opportunity to shape the company's scientific strategy and build the technical function as the organization scales.

Responsibilities

• Lead scientific due diligence and quality assessment of carbon removal projects across DACCS, biochar, ARR, blue carbon, and emerging pathways, evaluating additionality, permanence, durability, and leakage risks.
• Design and maintain MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) framework to support near-real-time delivery of removals, moving away from traditional annual offsetting cycles.
• Build and manage a diversified, high-integrity removal portfolio, balancing permanence, cost, risk, and co-benefits for nature, biodiversity, and local communities.
• Set and uphold the climate integrity standards, aligning methodologies with leading frameworks such as the ICVCM Core Carbon Principles, Oxford Offsetting Principles, and ISO net-zero guidance.
• Own relationships with registries, standards bodies, and project developers (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard, Puro.earth, Isometric), representing in industry, policy, and standards forums.
• Translate complex scientific data into clear, credible customer-facing materials to support sales, marketing, and customer success teams.
• Support fundraising and partnership efforts by leading technical and scientific due diligence with investors, corporate clients, and strategic partners.
• Track emerging carbon removal technologies, policies, and market developments to keep the company at the forefront of the industry.
• Recruit, mentor, and grow the scientific and technical team as the company expands beyond its founding stage.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD preferred) in climate science, environmental science, atmospheric science, forestry/ecology, biogeochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience in carbon markets, carbon removal, or MRV, gained through roles at project developers, registries, standards bodies, research institutions, or carbon-focused companies.
• Strong working knowledge of carbon removal methodologies and pathways (e.g., DACCS, biochar, ARR, blue carbon) with the ability to critically assess project quality, permanence, and additionality.
• Familiarity with corporate emissions accounting standards, including GHG Protocol Scope 1/2/3, and understanding of how carbon removal integrates into corporate climate strategies.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex scientific concepts for non-technical audiences such as customers, investors, and partners.
• Experience operating in an early-stage, fast-paced startup environment with the ability to switch between strategic planning and hands-on execution.
• Commitment to climate integrity and a genuine drive to move beyond net-zero toward measurable, net-positive impacts.

Preferred Skills

• Existing relationships with carbon removal project developers, registries, or standards organizations.
• Experience contributing to or shaping carbon market standards, methodologies, or policy frameworks.
• Prior experience working in an early-stage startup or founding-team capacity.

Experience

• Several years of relevant experience in carbon removal, climate science, or related fields.
• Proven track record in technical due diligence, project assessment, or scientific leadership within the climate-tech sector.

Environment

• The role is suited for a dynamic, early-stage startup environment, potentially involving remote work or hybrid arrangements.
• The position requires adaptability to a fast-moving setting, with occasional engagement in industry forums, standards bodies, and stakeholder meetings.

Salary

• Not specified

GrowthOpportunities

• The opportunity to shape the scientific foundation of a mission-driven climate-tech company from its inception.
• Significant ownership, autonomy, and potential equity as a founding team member.
• Influence on how organizations worldwide transition from net-zero claims to real, measurable, net-positive climate outcomes.
• Career development through leadership of a technical team and involvement in industry standards and policy discussions.

Benefits

• Not specified