Pyrolysis Senior Researcher,Salary £30-40k, Oxford, Pyrolysis of biomass, rigs, coal pyrolysis, oil catalytic upgrading, catalyst, organic chemistry,
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.
Purpose
Lead the pyrolysis team in working with the CTO to develop a novel and cost-effective pyrolysis-based process for the production of transport fuels from waste biomass.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities for the position are:
·To drive the innovation process for the pyrolysis and subsequent upgrading process and methodology development for liquid products
·Develop robust and efficient experimental plans and carry out all required research activities to provide timely technical solutions to meet R&D targets.
·Manage pyrolysis team and work closely with catalyst and analytical teams to ensure R&D plans progress smoothly.
·Maintain all the pyrolysis rigs in good workable condition and carry out necessary modifications to the rigs and their SOP.
·To interface with the in-house and external analytical lab resources.
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Key Skills
For this position we are looking for a Chemical/Process Engineer with strong academic qualifications and relevant experience that can be applied to pyrolysis of biomass. A good practical and theoretical understanding of thermal processing technologies such as pyrolysis and the underlying organic chemistry basics is expected.
This position will involve a lot of hands-on work with experimental rigs and the candidate must have prior practical experience in building and running R&D equipment and the analyses of test results. A good understanding of process control and data collection equipment would be beneficial and good MS Office skills are a must.
Specific skills include:
·Proficient skills in designing, building and running R&D equipment and the analyses of test results.
·Good knowledge of biomass or coal pyrolysis chemistry/process, ideally with knowledge of oil catalytic upgrading.
·Proficient skills in making research plan, carrying out experimental test, and reporting test results.
·Excellent inter-personal skills and team management skills.
·Good MS office skills.
Qualifications and experience
·Ph.D degree in chemical engineering, thermal engineering, materials science, chemistry or related discipline.
·Proven and demonstrable experience in biomass or coal pyrolysis, ideally fluidised-bed pyrolysis.
·Experience in 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 and vapours would be an advantage.
Experience of working for a small company or start-up.
Salary £30-40k depending upon experience.