Polaron is a spin-out from Imperial College London, founded by Dr Isaac Squires, Dr Steve Kench, and Dr Sam Cooper.
The founders share a mission: to harness engineering, artificial intelligence, and materials science to design the materials of the future.
Our vision is to become the world leader at the interface between AI and materials, combining scientific rigour with engineering pragmatism to enable the next generation of sustainable, high-performance materials.
Our work is mission-driven. Materials underpin everything: from the batteries that power electric vehicles to the alloys used in turbines and the composites that make aircraft lighter. Accelerating how these materials are designed and manufactured directly impacts the world’s ability to build a more sustainable future.
We are developing a cloud-based SaaS platform that enables materials engineers to use image-based AI to accelerate innovation with minimal friction.
Our key stats:
- Team of 12 people, growing fast
- Based in East London (Shoreditch Exchange, Hoxton)
- Backed by leading investors and research partners
- Customers across advanced manufacturing, energy, and materials sectors
Polaron is entering its next phase of commercial growth. Our technology is driving value, and we are now turning early customer traction into a repeatable commercial process.
We are hiring a GTM Associate to work directly with the CEO on building this foundation and running the GTM ops. The role blends commercial strategy, partnerships, and hands-on execution - from crafting proposals and shaping partnerships, running early lead generation campaigns, managing the CRM, scheduling customer calls, and coordinating weekly sales sprints.
You will help transform Polaron’s early commercial learning into structured systems and clear market focus, while engaging directly with some of the world’s most advanced materials and manufacturing organisations.
Our hiring process:
- Intro Call (30 min) to understand your experience and motivation
- Case Exercise to explore structured problem-solving and commercial thinking
- Trial Day working with the team on a real GTM or customer challenge
- Final Debrief and Offer
We value pace, transparency, and mutual fit at every stage.
Requirements
You are a commercially minded generalist who combines structured thinking with curiosity and drive. You are equally comfortable researching a market, drafting a proposal, or sending the first outbound message to a potential customer.
You have:
- 2–5 years of experience in consulting, strategy, commercial, or analytical roles
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills
- Comfort operating in an ambiguous, cross-functional environment
- Some experience with sales, lead generation, or customer-facing work
- Strong organisational habits and attention to detail
- Experience with GTM or commercial tools such as Attio, HubSpot, or LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Bonus points for:
- STEM, consulting, or technical background
- Experience in startups or Series A environments, especially in GTM operations or founder support roles
- Familiarity with industrial or scientific sectors
Mindset and Values:
We are looking for someone who:
- Is motivated by learning and building from first principles
- Works with pace, structure, and accountability
- Thrives working closely with founders and enjoys building systems from scratch
- Is comfortable switching between strategy and execution
- Values clarity, curiosity, and long-term thinking
- Is excited by deep technology and its real-world impact
Scope and responsibilities:
- Work directly with the CEO to manage and drive all commercial activity
- Coordinate and book calls through the CEO’s calendar, ensuring efficient follow-ups and preparation
- Run weekly sales sprints, maintain CRM accuracy (Attio), and track commercial performance metrics
- Support the CEO across commercial operations and strategy
- Run early outbound and lead qualification campaigns
- Coordinate proposals, follow-ups, and pipeline management
- Research and analyse new markets, accounts, and partnerships
- Build and maintain CRM, pricing, and reporting processes
- Contribute to positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategy
- Support investor and partner communications
Team and culture:
You will join a small, collaborative team of engineers, scientists, and commercial operators building Polaron’s product and culture together.
We operate with:
- High trust and ownership
- Curiosity and scientific discipline
- Pragmatism over process
- Focus on quality, impact, and long-term relationships
You will help shape how Polaron engages with customers and partners, creating the commercial foundations that scale with the company.
What we value at Polaron:
- Curiosity and scientific mindset
- Hunger to learn and grow rapidly
- Pragmatism and focus on delivery
- Clarity, empathy, and humility in communication
- Long-term commitment to building a company that matters
Benefits
- Salary: £60k-80k depending on experience
- Equity: meaningful options in a growing company
- Holidays: 25 days plus 2 additional festive leave days
- Perks: gym membership, free barista coffee
- Location: Shoreditch Exchange (Hoxton, London)
Top Skills
Polaron London, England Office
London, United Kingdom
