Sweetch Energy is one of the pioneering and leading French companies in the field of renewable energy, specializing in the exploitation of osmotic energy. Founded in 2015 and based in Rennes, the company is developing an innovative technology, INOD® (Ionic Nano Osmotic Diffusion), which produces clean and continuous electricity by harnessing the salinity difference between freshwater and saltwater.
As part of the European Waste Heat to Energy project, our goal is to harness low-grade residual heat (<100°C) as a driver for the INOD® technology by converting salinity gradients into electrical energy. This alternative energy source holds tremendous potential for electricity generation in sectors such as industry and advanced technologies. In this context, Sweetch Energy is looking to strengthen its team to develop modules combining INOD® and waste heat.
If you're passionate about innovation and ready to take on ambitious challenges to help shape a decarbonized future, this position is for you!
You will join the Innovation & Exploration team, whose mission is to explore new materials, processes, and applications to advance our technology based on the use of bio-based membranes, in terms of performance, durability, and impact. Specifically, you will become part of the Waste Heat project team to contribute to the various stages of developing this technology, from laboratory work to the pilot concept.
Within the Innovation department, which brings together around fifteen complementary profiles, you will contribute to a shared ambition: pushing technological boundaries to make osmotic energy a viable and scalable solution.
Make a decisive contribution to the development and optimization of a process based on salinity gradients to convert residual heat into electrical energy. You will be at the heart of the innovation approach, in an environment where versatility, rigor, and curiosity are key.
Design, develop, and execute complex experimental plans across the different areas of the project (materials, process, performance measurement), ensuring strict protocol compliance, result traceability, and data analysis.
Study and propose solutions for optimizing various aspects of the system, such as fluidic, thermal, and electrochemical parameters, as well as developing new materials suited to the system.
Conduct modeling, simulations, and thermodynamic calculations necessary for scaling up and optimizing flows and heat exchange in the process.
Contribute to the scale-up from lab prototype to pilot-level processes: participate in the construction of a pilot test bench, validate processes and testing, implement experimental plans, and integrate the results.
Be a driving force during ideation, trial-and-error problem solving, and rapid development phases, in close collaboration with other teams (innovation, product & process, etc.).
Ensure continuous technological and bibliographic monitoring, and integrate the latest scientific and technical advancements into the projects.
R&D engineer or similar profile with a background in chemistry, electrochemistry, materials chemistry, process engineering, or a related field.
1 to 3 years of professional experience in industry, ideally in an industrial R&D environment or an innovative tech startup.
Strong experimental rigor, keen observational skills, and the ability to interpret and put results into context.
Ability to communicate clearly, both written and verbal, and to synthesize technical information for oral presentations and the drafting of scientific notes and test reports.
Excellent analytical skills. Ability to anticipate and detect anomalies, identify causes of issues, and interpret technical challenges encountered.
Ability to work in a changing environment, with strong adaptability: exploratory topics, evolving hypotheses, short cycles.
Team spirit, autonomy, enthusiasm for experimentation, and problem-solving.
Experience in a startup or technological innovation environment.
Knowledge of heat transfer.
Interest in organic chemistry and/or polymer materials.