R&D Scientist (Process development and scale-up)

R&D Scientist

(Process development and scale-up)

Location: Warwickshire, UK (Coventry and Wellesbourne)

Salary: £30,000 - £40,000 pa

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract for 24 months; extension to permanent

Closing Date: 23:59, 16 August 2019

Interview Date: 22-28 August 2019

Stoli Catalysts’ revolutionary catalyst coated tubes will enable the £600 Bn Fine Chem industry to change from batch to continuous flow, halving its production costs and generating double digit earnings. 

We are a young, dynamic and entrepreneurial company, building a diverse and strong team.  We are now seeking two further R&D Scientists, with a background in chemistry or chemical engineering (PhD level desired) to help scale-up our catalyst-coated tubes to address processes up to 100 kg/day.

In this challenging role, you will work in a team of four on the development of a mini plant and its demonstration in industrial processes for hydrogenation reactions inside catalyst-coated reactors of various geometries. During the work you will design various reactor geometries, asses their performance in terms of mass and heat transfer; carry out catalyst coating of the reactors, its characterisation; do catalyst testing in terms of activity, selectivity, longevity; and optimise catalyst regeneration methods. This work requires extensive hands-on knowledge of reactor design, knowledge of organic chemistry, flow chemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis.

You will be involved in two pilot tests with the mini plant in collaboration with our commercial partners. Based on the data obtained, you will perform a techno-economic analysis to optimise the manufacturing costs. The knowledge of multiphase reactor engineering and relevant experimental skills are vital.

You will also undertake research in other areas related to heterogeneous catalysis and perform material characterisation. Your work combines independent and collaborative research on catalysis and you will be expected to write product specifications, research papers, progress and planning reports and prepare presentations. Your role will also include dealing with customers, any management and administrative issues that may arise from the project ensuring that all project objectives and deadlines are met.

The initial contract is for 24 months (subject to the successful completion of a 6 month probationary period). The preference is for candidates eligible to work in the UK (UK and EU citizens) but exceptional overseas candidates will be considered.

A PhD in Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline is desired. Excellent knowledge of reaction engineering, heterogeneous catalysis or organic chemistry is required.

To apply for this position please submit your (i) CV, (ii) covering letter, and (iii) a 1-page outline on the proposed ways of designing reactors for 100 kg/day production scale, from both a technical and economic perspective. The outline should discuss the existing approaches, main challenges, and a proposed way to scale up. It is better to focus on the depth and quality of the proposal, rather than covering a multiplicity of options. Failing to send these three documents results in an automatic rejection of the application.

Please send by the end of 16 August 2019 by email to hr@stolicatalysts.com. Please also use this email for any queries about the position. We encourage earlier application as we would like to fill the position earlier.