Experimental Lead

Do you want to contribute to the development of a new energy technology that can safely turn nuclear waste into emission-free energy? Are you excited about working in a hands-on deep tech start-up team that aims to make a huge impact? Do you like complex challenges? Then, we might be just the company you are looking for!

We are looking for a driven Experimental Lead to join our innovative and international team.

About Thorizon

At Thorizon, we’re a passionate team of ~ 40 spread across Amsterdam and Lyon, all working together to develop nuclear power solutions. We design and create frontier technology for Molten Salt Reactors (MSR).

Our purpose is to accelerate the availability of clean energy and help solve the climate crisis.

We are in the development phase and aim to solidify our design through analyses, experiments, simulations, and partnerships. At Thorizon, we believe a strongly coupled multidisciplinary technology development requires a culture of full openness and transparency. That’s why we foster values like unity, communication, and support to ensure we grow together as a team while achieving our purpose.

Your mission

Are you passionate about technology development and experimental work in the field of chemistry and materials science?

The development and prototyping program (DAP) of Thorizon, includes all concrete physical efforts related to data generation, code validation, experiments, test set ups, prototyping and qualification in order to demonstrate the feasibility and the safety of the Thorizon design.

For the part related to experiments and tests, to generate data, quantify and measure phenomena in Thorizon systems as input to computational codes, an expanding experimental program is executed, largely in the field of chemistry and material characterization.

To coordinate and manage this experimental program, we are looking for an experiment lead. The scope of the program includes, for example:

• Salt characterization, enveloping salt composition evolution in primary and secondary salt circuit of the Thorizon plant

• Salt-structure chemical interaction, including dynamic tests by in-house developed corrosion loops.

• Material testing for characterization and qualification purposes

For the scope of the projects, the experimental lead will manage a growing team of specialists, analysts and technicians, and connects to Thorizon chemistry and material experts, the Thorizon prototyping team, and external parties. The experiment lead reports to the CTO.

For the position a chemistry and/or material science background, and experience with project and team management is required, with a pro-active, safety driven, hands-on, risk-based and structured approach to program definition and execution.

In this role you will:

• Build a Thorizon experimental team to execute the program

• Manage the experimental team, and internal Thorizon and external collaboration and interaction

• Be responsible for laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and best practices with a focus on molten salt chemistry and materials science.

• Manage specialists and laboratory staff, providing supervision, training, and performance evaluations.

• Secure quality assurance and control with regards to measurements, data generation and reporting.

• Develop and implement laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety guidelines.

• Assist researchers with experiment planning, troubleshooting, and data analysis.

• Coordinate equipment maintenance, repairs, and upgrades with vendors and service providers.

• Maintain accurate records of equipment usage, maintenance logs, and safety audits.

About you:

• Master's degree in chemistry, materials science, metallurgy, or related field.

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with attention to detail, quality and accuracy.

• You are a teamplayer, that can grow and manage a team of teamplayers

• You are an excellent communicator (clear is kind) in English and either French or Dutch, both spoken and written: you can connect with a team.

• You like working in an agile manner and are comfortable at the fast pace and changes in a technological scale-up. 

• You have a broad interest in technology, and can connect well to other disciplines in engineering and science,

• Prior experience with high temperature coolants (molten salts, liquid metals), material testing and qualification, is a plus.

• You have an intrinsic motivation to get things done.

What can you expect from us?

• Dynamic and ambitious team of nuclear technology professionals that are committed to solving today’s energy challenges.

• Unique experience in a fast-growing VC-backed deep tech start-up

• Opportunity to work on a game-changing technology that reduces our carbon footprint and nuclear waste streams.

• Competitive salary and an employee profit-sharing plan

• International work experience

• Office in the heart of Amsterdam or Lyon next to the Central station, including start-up vibes, office amenities, Thursday drinks and quarterly team events.

Does this sound like a match? We are looking forward to your application!

Thorizon takes responsibility to make our company more inclusive. We need all ideas to realize our mission and want everyone to feel welcome in our team.