Senior Chemist

About us: 

Concrete4Change (C4C) is a R&D company that is developing a ground-breaking technology to utilise and permanently mineralise CO2 in concrete.

C4C technology won a wide range of awards including the United Nations (UN) most innovative Net-Zero technology Climate Challenge Cup at COP26 in Glasgow, Royal Academy of Engineering and UN SDG. C4C is partly owned by two of the largest concrete manufacturers in the World (Siam Cement Group and Goldbeck GmBH).

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Job:

This position has a significant progress opportunity in a fast-growing team. You will be part of the core management team in order to deliver the C4C milestones and directly contribute to C4C’s growth (job title will be adjusted based on experience).

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Please see the specification of the roles & responsibilities below: 

Essential: 

• PhD in Chemistry.
• 2+ years post PhD experience or equivalent industrial experience.
• Provent track record of demonstrating initiative, high agency and achievement.
• Knowledge of Chemistry: Strong knowledge of fundamental principles and concepts in chemistry is essential. This includes a solid understanding of chemical reactions, thermodynamics, materials science, and spectroscopy.
• Research Skills: Ability to conduct literature reviews, gather relevant information, and stay updated on the latest advancements in CO2 utilisation development. Strong research skills enable critical analysis and synthesis of scientific literature.
• Laboratory Skills: high level of Proficiency in laboratory techniques and procedures is necessary. This includes experience of synthesis, characterisation, and testing of materials, as well as handling and analysing chemical samples.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are important for data analysis, interpretation, and drawing meaningful conclusions from experimental results.
• Safety and Compliance: Knowledge and adherence to laboratory safety protocols and regulations are crucial. Familiarity with hazardous materials handling, waste management, and compliance with regulatory standards is essential.
• Communication: Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary to convey research findings, write reports, and present results to team members and stakeholders. The ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and communicate ideas clearly is important.
• Organization and Record-Keeping: Strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records, document procedures, and track experimental data are vital. Attention to detail and the ability to keep a well-organised laboratory notebook is essential.
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning: Willingness to learn new techniques, adapt to changing research priorities, and stay updated on the latest developments in CO2 sorbent research is important. Demonstrating a proactive attitude and a commitment to professional growth is highly valued.

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Desirable: 

• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualisation software may be useful.
• Demonstratable of characterisation methodology development of complex systems of organic and inorganic materials including polymers, and solid adsorbents
• R&D experience in fields of adsorption, adsorbent design, separation technologies, catalyst, materials surface functionalisation, carbon capture, surface chemistry or polymer.
• Experience in computational chemistry, analysis and simulation of synthetic materials
• Experience in carbon capture utilisation and storage
• Experience in the mineralisation of CO2 for various applications.
• Understanding concrete and cement chemistry
• Familiarity with intellectual property management, patent filings, and licensing agreements.
  

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Roles & Responsibilities: 

• Independent self-starter who can learn about new technologies, develop a deep understanding of characterisation methodologies, and quickly learn and contribute to chemical synthesis.
• Research and Development: Conduct research and development activities, including designing experiments, conducting laboratory-scale studies, and evaluating the performance of different materials and systems.
• Project Management: Develop project plans, set milestones, and manage resources effectively to deliver projects within scope, budget, and timeline. Monitor progress, identify potential issues, and implement corrective measures as needed.
• Experimental Design and Setup: Assist in designing and setting up experiments to evaluate the performance of CO2 sorbents. This involves selecting appropriate materials, designing experimental conditions, and ensuring the proper functioning of equipment and instruments.
• Synthesis and Characterization: Prepare and synthesize different CO2 sorbent materials using various methods such as sol-gel, precipitation, or ion exchange. Characterize the synthesized materials using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis (e.g., TGA, DSC) to determine their structural and chemical properties.
• Sorption Testing: Conduct sorption tests to evaluate the CO2 capture capacity and kinetics of the developed sorbents. Perform experiments under controlled conditions, measure gas sorption isotherms, and analyze the data to assess the effectiveness of the sorbents.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Analyze experimental data using statistical tools and software to draw meaningful conclusions. Interpret the results to identify trends, optimize the performance of CO2 sorbents, and provide suggestions for further improvements.
• Collaboration and Communication: Work collaboratively with other team members, including senior researchers and engineers, to share findings, discuss progress, and troubleshoot challenges. Clearly communicate research findings through written reports, presentations, and internal meetings.
• Safety and Compliance: Adhere to safety protocols and guidelines while working in the laboratory. Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and waste. Comply with relevant regulatory and ethical standards in research and development activities.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and organized records of experimental procedures, data, and results. Keep an updated laboratory notebook, record observations, and document any modifications made during the development process.
• Continuous Learning and Skill Development: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and techniques in CO2 sorbent development. Attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions to enhance knowledge and skills in the field.
• Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving: Identify and address any issues or challenges that arise during the development process. Troubleshoot experimental setups, optimize procedures, and propose innovative solutions to improve the efficiency and performance of CO2 sorbents.
• Plan, procure and manage the chemical laboratory in line with regulations.

Benefits: 

C4C is seeking people who want to do applied science, with an entrepreneurial spirit and use their skills to build a sustainable world. We offer typical employee benefits plus a share of what we will build together.

• A unique opportunity to work with top universities in the UK
• An exciting opportunity to work with Multibillion Concrete Companies
• A competitive annual holiday entitlement.
• A pension scheme
• A competitive bonus upon achieving milestones
• Unrivalled career progression pathway.
• An interesting company social calendar

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‍Remuneration:

‍Competitive Salary 

• Basic Salary + Car Allowance - £36,000 - £48,500
• Share options: 0.2-0.5%

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Start date and end date (approx.): This is a permanent position and is available for Immediate start. Flexible on start date based on notice period. 

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Hours: Flexible working hours (full time)

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Location: Concrete4Change Lab (Nottingham Region) - Full-time working in office is required. Ability to commute to Nottingham is required.

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Next Steps: 

To apply please send a copy of your CV and Cover letter to info@concrete4change.com with the job title in the subject line.

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