Founders Associate

Company Description: DecaPlants is the world’s first process superintelligence platform and autonomous lab focused on developing and optimizing industrial processes. The company is building a foundation model that embeds eco-design into every stage of the scientific method, helping scientists and engineers create environmentally sustainable processes at unprecedented pace and scale. DecaPlants works at the intersection of AI, science, and industry to support more efficient and lower-carbon operations across process industries. The team is united around a mission to “Deca-rbonize” industrial processes while driving innovation in sustainable technology. Candidates can learn more about the company, its products, and career opportunities at www.decaplants.com.

Role Description: The Founder's Associate role is a full-time, on-site position based in Paris, supporting the founder across strategic, operational, and analytical initiatives. In this role, the associate will help structure and execute key projects, from market and technology research to business planning and internal process design. Day-to-day responsibilities include preparing briefs and presentations, coordinating cross-functional efforts, tracking progress on company priorities, and ensuring effective communication between the founder and teams. The associate will also contribute to investor and partner materials, help analyze data and metrics to inform decisions, and support hiring and onboarding activities as the company grows. This is a high-ownership role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced deep-tech environment and is excited to work closely with leadership on mission-critical topics.

Qualifications:

• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex technical and business topics into clear insights and recommendations.
• Experience in project management and operations, including structuring initiatives, setting timelines, and coordinating stakeholders to drive execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare concise briefs, presentations, and external-facing documents.
• Comfort working in a startup or high-growth environment, with adaptability, initiative, and a hands-on approach to solving problems.
• Interest in deep tech, AI, and/or industrial or scientific processes, with a strong motivation to contribute to environmentally sustainable innovation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a diverse, multidisciplinary team and build trusted partnerships across functions.
• Professional proficiency in English; French language skills are highly beneficial for on-site collaboration in Paris.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science/AI/ML, or equivalent practical experience.

Operations & Special Projects

• Take ownership of cross-functional projects, from defining the problem to implementing a solution.
• Build practical tools and processes that improve how the company tracks information, decisions and progress.
• Support coordination across commercial, technical and production teams as needed.
• Prepare materials, analysis and follow-ups for key meetings, including board and investor updates.

Right Hand to the CEO

• Act as a trusted sounding board and thought partner across commercial, strategic and financing topics.
• Help prioritise the CEO's time and follow through on key decisions and action items.
• Step into whatever the business needs most at a given time this role is defined by impact, not a fixed job description.

What we offer
We're building an industrial deep-tech company from the ground up. You will work directly with the CEO and help shape the commercial, financial and operational foundations that support our growth.

• CDI contract.
• Competitive compensation and employee stock-option package.
• 50% health-insurance coverage.
• Hybrid work model, with an office in Paris
• Direct exposure to, and ownership of, the full breadth of decisions that shape an early-stage company.
• Scope to develop towards commercial strategy, finance, operations or a broader leadership role as the business grows.

We believe deep tech needs deep diversity. If you're excited by our mission but don't tick every single box, we still want to hear from you. Versatility, initiative and a hunger to learn are essential at this stage of our journey.

Send you resume at [email protected]