Role: Founders Associate

Location: London / Oxford

Reports to: CEO

About Milvus Advanced

Milvus Advanced is redefining materials science by creating rare metal alternatives through modern alchemy.

We replace expensive, scarce elements such as indium, gold, iridium, and platinum with high-performance, earth-abundant nanoalloys and functional materials. Our discovery and scale-up platform turns deep chemistry into manufacturable products for energy, optoelectronics, and chemical manufacturing.

As critical minerals take centre stage geopolitically, we ask: what happens when key elements are constrained or run out? Instead of merely optimising today’s materials, we pursue transformational substitutions that reduce dependence on fragile supply chains and rare elements by creating new, lab-made materials that are abundant, affordable, and sustainable.

Our technologies aim to:

Reduce dependence on rare or critical metals
Improve device efficiency, stability, and manufacturability
Enable affordable, scalable next-generation materials and devices
Accelerate the clean-tech transition

We are backed by leading global investors such as Hoxton and LowerCarbon, and are scaling rapidly from lab breakthroughs to real-world products.

The Role

As Founder Associate you will work directly with the Founder and CEO to solve Milvus’s most pressing challenges across strategy, operations, people, finance, and growth. You will act as a force multiplier for the leadership team, turning ideas into execution, ensuring operational excellence, and driving high-leverage projects across the company.

This is a hands-on, high-leverage role that combines strategic thinking with operational execution. Some days you will be shaping investor materials, driving strategic initiatives, or supporting key hiring and partnership decisions. Other days you will ensure that critical operational details run smoothly—overseeing installations, coordinating logistics, or resolving urgent on-the-ground issues that keep the business moving forward.

You will be trusted to own problems end to end, whether strategic or tactical, and to make independent, high-quality decisions that keep Milvus running efficiently as it scales.

This is a high-ownership, high-impact position in a deep-tech startup at an inflection point, moving from scientific discovery to industrial scale-up. You will help build the systems, structure, and rhythm that allow Milvus to scale while maintaining speed and precision.

This is the closest you can get to being a founder without being one.

Key Responsibilities

Operate as an extension of the Founder & CEO, to reduce workload and make high-quality, independent decisions
Step in wherever needed, from refining talent processes to coordinating manufacturing programs, supplier partnerships, or lab installations
Support operational activities including maintenance coordination, HR administration, and office management as needed
Prepare materials and insights for key stakeholders including investors, partners, and the board
Represent leadership in cross-functional meetings, ensuring decisions are captured, tracked, and executed
Identify and prioritise high-leverage opportunities to help Milvus move faster, smarter, and more efficiently

What We’re Looking For

Required

3–7 years of experience in a high-performance environment such as consulting, investment banking, venture capital, or a high-growth startup
Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to bring structure to ambiguity
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across technical and non-technical teams
Proven bias for action and comfort operating in a fast-moving, evolving environment
A "no task too small" mindset and a focus on impact over ego

Nice to Have

Experience in deep-tech, advanced materials, or manufacturing environments
Background in scientific or technical organizations such as chemistry, physics, materials science, or engineering
Early-stage startup experience as a founder or operator
Interest in climate tech, sustainability, or advanced manufacturing

Personal Attributes

Reasoning ability: Thinks from first principles and structures complex problems effectively
Drive: Intensely ambitious, proactive, and persistent, taking full ownership of outcomes
Team spirit: Collaborative, humble, and mission-driven, operating with integrity and empathy
Adaptability: Thrives in ambiguity and transitions seamlessly between strategic and tactical work

Why Join Milvus

Work directly with world-class founders and scientists building the future of materials
Gain unparalleled exposure to company-building at the intersection of science, technology, and industry
Shape strategy and execution at a venture-backed, fast-scaling deep-tech company
Develop into a future leader in operations, strategy, or general management
Competitive compensation and benefits, with relocation and visa sponsorship available

Milvus Advanced

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Founder Associate