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Salary: USD 72,000 - 80,000 / annual
Fortera is transforming cement manufacturing by developing next-generation cement technology that reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 70% through CO₂ mineralization. The company operates a commercial ReCarb® plant in Redding, California, and is scaling from first-of-a-kind deployment toward broader commercialization.
The Research Associate will support laboratory research and product development efforts focused on lower-carbon cement and concrete products. This role involves preparing and evaluating cement-based materials, performing standardized and novel testing per ASTM standards, assisting with experimental design, and analyzing and communicating research findings. As experience is gained, the Research Associate may independently plan and lead defined experimental projects.
Key responsibilities include:
- Prepare cement-based paste, mortar, and concrete mixtures and evaluate their performance
- Perform standardized mortar and concrete testing in accordance with ASTM and other applicable standards
- Conduct novel product and performance testing to support research and product development
- Perform experiments under the guidance of scientists and contribute to experimental planning
- Accurately collect, organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data
- Use research findings to support product and process improvements
- Operate analytical and materials characterization equipment such as SEM, XRD, and TGA
- Document experimental procedures and results and present findings during research meetings
- Maintain laboratory supplies, consumables, chemicals, equipment, and inventory records
- Conduct routine safety inspections and support a clean and organized laboratory environment
- Follow all laboratory safety procedures and lean practices
This position is part of the Product team within Fortera's Research and Development department, working alongside scientists, engineers, operators, and industry experts.
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related technical field
- 2+ years of professional/industry laboratory experience in R&D or testing
- Experience working safely in a laboratory environment with chemicals and laboratory equipment
- Ability to follow experimental procedures and perform testing consistently and repeatably
- Strong attention to detail and demonstrated scientific problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Ability to accurately document, organize, and communicate experimental findings
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team
- Willingness to learn new testing methods, equipment, and technical concepts
- Strong interest in developing a career in research and product development
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with standardized mortar or concrete testing, including ASTM C109, C187, C191, C305, C143, C39, C78, and/or AC529
- Experience with concrete durability testing
- Experience operating analytical or materials characterization equipment such as SEM, XRD, and TGA, and interpreting the resulting data
- Relevant cement or concrete certifications such as ACI certification, Cement Physical Tester certification, or field or laboratory concrete testing credentials
- Experience with concrete field operations, manufacturing, batching, or mix design
- Experience with lower-carbon cement, alternative cementitious materials, or carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies
- Experience working in a startup or similarly fast-paced environment
