Process Development Chemist

Position: Process Development Chemist (Permanent)
Process Development Chemist - Renewables / Biofuels - Scotland - Permanent

Our client is a leading force in renewable energy across the UK. At present, they are seeking a Process Development Chemist on a permanent basis at their site in Ayrshire, Scotland. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Process Development Chemist to support the scale up and delivery of major projects.

Responsibilities:
To use expert knowledge to chemistry and related fields to devise, plan and execute research programmes with the overall aim of making operations more efficient and/or reduce operational impacts. The Process Development Chemist will conduct and report on laboratory, Midi Plant and Full-Scale Plant trials.

Key Duties
Laboratory Experiments
- Develop and document experimental plans for improving performance in anaerobic digestion and associated activities.
- Operate lab scale anaerobic digestion test facilities (AMPTS and Continuous Reactors) for the measurement of biogas potential, digestate quality for various feed stocks under different operating conditions.
Midi and Plant Trials
- Assist in Midi and Plant Trials as required.
- Implementation of process improvement trials across the operational sites.
- Prepare Management of Change, Risk and COSHH assessments for Midi and Plant Trials as required
- Contribute to safe working environment by complying with written procedures e.g. risk and COSHH assessments.
- Development methods and procedures for trials at Midi and across operational sites, which will include trials of new technologies.
- Optimisation of existing site processes following successful trials.

Documentation:
- Write reports of laboratory, Midi and Plant Trials, including descriptions of test method and results, including cross-refencing to plant data or previous tests and analysing and interpreting data.
Safety
- Complete training on analytical techniques, company procedures, and HSE as tasked.
- Work in accordance with SOP’s, COSHH and risk assessments and keep working areas clean

Other:
- Fully participate in innovation process by presenting improvements/innovations at scheduled meetings.
- Carry out experimental work at other company locations from time-to-time where on site investigations are required.
- Where required; collect, prepare and perform chemical analysis of effluent, process liquors, feedstock, sea water, carbon dioxide and biogas samples according to standard operating procedures, COSHH and Risk Assessment
- Analyse samples using advanced instrumental techniques including GC - MS, ICP, and Elemental Analyser.
- Perform analysis using basic techniques including colourimetric techniques, gravimetric, titrations etc.
- Complete training as tasked on analytical techniques, company procedures, HSE etc.

Experience &

Qualifications:

Strong Laboratory work background.
Ability to collate data and produce meaningful & concise reports from data
Strong IT skills particularly Excel & use of ERP system or databases.
Ability to manage own time and prioritise workload accordingly
Ability to present complex scientific information to a non-scientific work group
Some experience of training non-scientific colleagues to understand data and reason for treatment of same.
Able to challenge established norms with a professional and fact driven approach
Ability to work independently.
First Degree in Biology, Chemistry;
Biochemistry;
Microbiology or similar.
Desirable:
Masters in similar subject area