Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Scientist

at Via Separations

🏢 About Via Separations

Via Separations is tackling one of the biggest industrial challenges—energy consumption—with a breakthrough membrane technology that can slash energy use by up to 90%. Founded on MIT innovation, the company offers a mission-driven environment where your work directly contributes to a sustainable future, making it an ideal place for scientists passionate about climate impact.

About This Role

As a Research Scientist, you will be at the core of validating and improving Via's membrane platforms by testing real-world industrial feedstocks and running rigorous filtration experiments. Your hands-on work will directly inform product development and help scale a technology that could transform industries like food & beverage, chemicals, and water treatment.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your morning might start by preparing a new industrial feedstock sample and setting up a bench-scale filtration rig to measure flux and rejection. After lunch, you'll analyze the day's data, noting any fouling trends, and then collaborate with the R&D team to adjust a hand-coating formulation for the next round of membrane casting.

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🎯 Who Via Separations Is Looking For

  • Hands-on lab expert with 3+ years in a lab or pilot plant, comfortable handling pressurized fluid systems and wet chemistry daily.
  • Deeply curious about membrane separations (RO, NF, UF) and eager to dive into fouling, cleaning, and durability studies.
  • Meticulous experimentalist who can design long-term tests, analyze data for trends, and troubleshoot when results deviate.
  • Collaborative and communicative, able to work with R&D teams to iterate on surface chemistries and scale-up processes.

📝 Tips for Applying to Via Separations

1

Highlight any direct experience with membrane filtration (RO, NF, UF), including specific metrics like flux and rejection rates.

2

Showcase your ability to design and execute long-term experiments (e.g., fouling studies) and analyze durability data.

3

Mention hands-on skills with bench-scale casting or coating techniques if you have them—this is a plus for the R&D pipeline.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize safety protocols, especially with pressurized systems and industrial feedstocks.

5

Include a brief example of how your lab work led to a tangible improvement or insight, aligning with Via's mission to optimize performance.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express passion for sustainability and how Via's mission to reduce industrial energy use aligns with your career goals.", 'Emphasize your specific experience with membrane separations and bench-scale experiments, using concrete examples.', 'Show your ability to work independently in a lab while collaborating with a team to iterate on novel chemistries.', 'Mention your comfort with troubleshooting and adapting experiments based on real-time data, a key need for this role.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Via Separations' case studies on their website to understand which industries they target (e.g., food, chemicals, water).
  • → Look into their patent portfolio or recent publications on graphene oxide or other membrane materials.
  • → Check news articles about their funding rounds and partnerships to gauge company growth and market traction.
  • → Understand the basics of their technology: how their membranes achieve high selectivity and low energy compared to traditional methods.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you designed a long-term experiment to test membrane durability or fouling. What were the key findings?
2 How would you approach characterizing a new industrial feedstock for compatibility with a membrane?
3 Explain a challenging bench-scale filtration experiment you conducted. How did you ensure accurate flux and rejection measurements?
4 What safety protocols do you follow when handling pressurized fluid systems or hazardous chemicals?
5 How do you prioritize experiments when supporting both R&D pipeline and client feedstock testing?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on academic research without demonstrating practical lab skills (e.g., handling pressurized systems, wet chemistry).
  • Avoid generic statements about 'passion for sustainability' without linking to specific technical contributions you can make.
  • Don't overlook the importance of data analysis—be ready to show how you interpret flux, rejection, and fouling data to drive decisions.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Via Separations!

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