Clay scientist / Formulation manager - Join the Agritech Revolution at Desert Control

Clay scientist / Formulation manager - Join the Agritech Revolution at Desert Control

Desert Control specializes in climate-smart AgriTech solutions to combat desertification, soil degradation, and water scarcity. Its patented Liquid Natural Clay (LNC) enables sustainable ecosystem management by restoring and protecting soil’s ability to preserve water and increase yields for agriculture, forests, and green landscapes. LNC enables sand and degraded soil to retain water and nutrients, thus increasing crop yields and ecosystem resilience while preserving water resources by up to 50%.

Desert Control’s vision is making earth green again.

Come join the agritech revolution at Desert Control, and be a part of our mission to make the earth green again by stopping and reversing desertification and soil degradation.

With our unique product, Liquid Natural Clay (LNC), we are turning degraded land and sand into fertile soil and reducing water usage for green ecosystems by up to 50%. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a cutting-edge agritech company and make a real impact on the world.

Role Summary

As a clay scientist at Desert Control (DC) you will be responsible for the development, characterization, and optimization of our LNC product and its formulation for the different operation units in the group. You will ensure that Desert Control group captures all existing know-how in colloidal chemistry for clay-based suspensions. You will also be responsible for the development and maintenance of a digital system and databases to support the formulation activity. You will have a key role in the R&D department and work in close collaboration with our engineers, soil scientists and Operation departments in the US and the UAE to provide critical input on clay testing, product development and upscaling of our international operations. You will also develop new solutions and innovations in the R&D department to secure new market opportunities for LNC.

What we can offer you:

• Exciting and professional work-environment
• Fixed employment with competitive conditions
• Being a part of a new and exciting scale-up
• Being a part of a journey – contributing to the green shift
• First-hand experience and insight in the development of a company
• Great career opportunities
• The possibility to help build a planet for the future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish key criteria for clay selection and optimize LNC performance for enhancing overall soil quality of sandy soils.
• Develop and implement characterization methods for clay and colloid suspensions in DC laboratories and in collaboration with our academic partners.
• Establish and implement quality control systems and procedures throughout the whole supply chain i.e. from raw material suppliers to the collection of field data on use of LNC.
• Ensure that a system for storing and distributing key formulation criteria to all relevant users of such information while securing DC’s IP.
• Identify and develop new innovative ways if utilizing LNC technology creating new solutions and market opportunities for the company whilst securing new IPRs.
• Initiate and participate in national and international research programs.
• Ensure compliance with international regulations for soil amendment and farming.

Education, qualifications and skills

• MSc or higher education in chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, or technical field relevant to Desert Control (preference for colloidal science).
• Experience in applied clay science, material characterization and industrial clay processing.
• Able to understand technical specialists in process and mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience after MSc.
• Industrial and/or academic network within the field of clay science.

Personal qualities:

• Highly effective written and verbal communications skills in English. Norwegian understanding is an advantage.
• Self-motivated and structured.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Enthusiasm and positive energy that inspires people around you.

If you have a passion for making a positive impact, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now to join our team and make the world green again.

The position is at Desert Controls' head office in Stavanger, FOMO WORKS – the most popular office building in the area these days.