Pyrolysis Support Engineer, Oxford, salary £20-28k, Pyrolysis, biomass, Waste to energy, waste,laboratory, rigs, chemistry, engineer, laboratory test rigs, catalysts,catalytic upgrading,R & D,
Background
We have an excellent and challenging permanent opportunity for an engineer from either a chemical,thermal, materials or related discipline to join a company that is moving from proof of concept stage to R & D activities to support the development of a novel and cost-effective pyrolysis-based process for production of transport fuels from waste biomass.
The company is a sponsored start-up company and since its launch in November 2009, the company's R&D progress has been driven by expert partner companies and Universities supported by an experienced project management team and industry experts. The proof-of-concept phase is almost concluded and going forward the R&D work is now being brought in-house by setting up a dedicated team and facility near Oxford.
The company is assembling a committed team to transform the proof-of-concept into commercial reality. We are looking for dedicated individuals who are comfortable with the uncertainties and pressures of a fast moving start-up company and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment that offers innovation freedom and opportunities to make a difference. Creativity, common sense, can-do-attitude are just a few of the attributes we are looking for, in addition to proven technical expertise.
Main duties and responsibilities
Responsibilities for the position are:
·Carry out day-to-day running of biomass pyrolysis rigs, including setting up of the rig, running the rig, and collecting and analysing all the products.
·Carry out any modifications required to improve the performance of the rig, maintain a safe and tidy pyrolysis laboratory and maintain the rigs in good working condition.
·To interface with the in-house and external analytical lab resources.
Key Skills
For this position we are looking for a research engineer with good academic qualifications and relevant experience that can be applied to the pyrolysis of biomass.
This person should be willing to get their 'hands dirty' in the day to day operation of pyrolysis rigs. They should also be willing to work flexibly including long hours when the research program requires this (e.g. some research runs will require a 10 hours working in a day).
Attitude, approach and personality matter as much as skills and experience which include:
·Skills in designing, building and running laboratory test rigs and the analyses of test results.
·Good knowledge of biomass or coal pyrolysis chemistry/process, ideally with knowledge of oil catalytic upgrading.
·Excellent inter-personal skills and hard-working.
·Good MS office skills and computer literate.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor degree in chemical engineering, thermal engineering, materials science, chemistry or related discipline.
·Experience in operating pyrolysis rigs and the recovery of pyrolysis products (liquid, gas and solid) and the characterisation of pyrolysis products.
·Knowledge about catalyst and understanding of catalytic upgrading of oil is a plus.
·Experience of working for a small company or start-up