Head of Materials and Scale up

Starstone LinkedIn

רחובות

🧱 Job Title: Head of Materials & Scale-Up

📍 Location: Rehovot, Israel – Onsite | Climate Tech Startup

🔬 Industry: Bio-Cement, Sustainable Materials

The Opportunity

Cement accounts for over 8% of global CO₂ emissions. At Starstone, we’re replacing it—using biotechnology, not kilns. We’ve proven our tech in the lab. Now, we’re scaling.

We’re seeking a mission-driven Head of Materials & Scale-Up to lead the transformation of bio-generated calcium carbonate into real-world cement replacements that meet industrial standards and performance benchmarks.

About Starstone

Starstone is a VC-backed climate tech startup pioneering low-carbon cement alternatives by engineering microbes to grow reactive minerals. Our product works with existing cement systems, reducing emissions by over 50%—no kilns, no carbon, built to scale.

We’re based in Rehovot and backed by top-tier investors in deep tech and sustainability.

What You’ll Do

· Lead the design, formulation, and optimization of cementitious materials ensuring performance meets construction standards (EN, ASTM, ISO)

· Own and execute the scale-up strategy from lab R&D to pilot and early industrial production, including QA/QC protocols, certification readiness, and supplier collaboration

· Conduct hands-on formulation work and manage mechanical, physical, and applicative testing of materials, including experimental planning and data analysis

· Work cross-functionally with the biotechnology team to align microbial outputs with material performance requirements

· Drive technical documentation, literature reviews, and reporting to support decision-making and certification efforts

· Represent material science in internal and external forums, contributing insights to investors, partners, and regulatory bodies within a multidisciplinary team environment

What We’re Looking For

Must-Have:

M.Sc. in or material science, engineering or chemistry
5–7 years industrial experience with novel materials or chemistry, preferably as part of start up companies.
Experience with formulations, materials development with hands on lab work.
Experience scaling R&D into pilot or field production
Know how in materials characterization methods
Skilled in tools like XRD, TGA, SEM, ICP, compressive strength testing
Strong command of cement chemistry, clinker alternatives, or inorganic composites
Startup mindset: proactive, resourceful, adaptable
Based in Israel, fluent in English

Bonus Points For: