Scientific Lead

Scientific Lead & Project Manager - Oxyleaf™ Project

Part-time, unpaid during the early phase

- Hybrid work model (remote and/or on-site in Milan, Rome, or Boston)
- Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval
- An NDA must be signed

This position may evolve into a full-time Director of Environmental Technologies or Chief Science Officer (CSO) role based on performance and project growth.

About Institute Itech:

Institute Itech is an early-stage multinational company committed to building a new model of society grounded in education, advanced technology, and social development.

We are launching a portfolio of innovation projects designed to integrate sustainability, advanced engineering, and social impact.

One of our flagship environmental technology initiatives is:

- Oxyleaf™ – Synthetic plant systems for urban air purification, renewable energy generation (OPV & thermoelectric), and environmental data collection.

The company is legally incorporated (USA, Italy) and is now building its founding leadership team to bring these projects from concept to large-scale deployment.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Scientific Lead & Head of Oxyleaf™ to guide the research, development, and scientific validation of the project.

This role combines scientific leadership, applied R&D, and strategic management, ensuring Oxyleaf™ achieves excellence in environmental performance, renewable energy efficiency, and real-world deployment.

The selected candidate will lead interdisciplinary work involving physics, renewable energy systems, and environmental biology.

Responsibilities:

- Oversee scientific research, prototyping, and validation of Oxyleaf™ technologies
- Lead R&D on photovoltaic (OPV), thermoelectric, and energy storage systems
- Coordinate environmental impact studies on air purification, heat reduction, and CO₂/O₂ balance
- Collaborate with engineers, material scientists, and IoT specialists for sensor integration
- Guide the selection and testing of bio-inspired design elements and synthetic materials
- Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and urban infrastructure standards
- Represent the project in scientific, institutional, and investor presentations
- Develop relationships with universities, research centers, and industrial partners

Requirements:

- Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Physics, Renewable Energy, Environmental Science, or Biology
- Minimum 5+ years of experience in applied research or renewable energy development
- Solid understanding of energy harvesting technologies, climate science, and biological systems
- Experience managing interdisciplinary research teams and technology pilots
- Strong scientific writing and public presentation skills
- Fluent in English (Italian is a strong plus)

Preferred Qualifications:

- Previous involvement in urban sustainability or climate adaptation projects
- Knowledge of materials science, catalytic filtration, or bio-mimetic engineering
- Experience in grant writing, EU Horizon projects, or public-private research funding
- Network within academic, governmental, or green-tech investment sectors

Benefits Provided:

- Reimbursement of travel and mobility expenses
- Access to advanced R&D tools, cloud resources, and collaboration platforms
- Full scientific leadership of Oxyleaf™ from development to deployment
- Strategic decision-making role in environmental technology innovation
- Potential evolution into a C-level scientific position within Institute Itech

How to Apply:

Please send:

- Your CV
- A short letter (max 1 page), in English or Italian, describing:
- Why you are interested in leading the Oxyleaf™ project
- What expertise and vision you bring in physics, renewable energy, and biology
- How you would drive the scientific success and scalability of the system

Send E-mail and contact:

- E-mail: in.oiap2025@institute.iite.eu
- Subject: WE2025 Job - [Job Name] LinkedIn Application - [Name Surname]

Time Commitment:

This is a non-paid position during the startup phase, with a minimum commitment of 4–6 hours per week.

We are looking for a scientific leader with vision, technical authority, and a commitment to environmental innovation.