Graduate Chemical Engineer

Evolve Scientific; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft in Brisbane is seeking a Graduate Chemical Engineer to join a pilot plant and R&D facility supporting ultra-high purity alumina production. The role is a full-time casual position with potential transition to a permanent role after 12 months.

You will gain hands-on exposure to solvent extraction, refining processes, and process optimisation within a cutting-edge materials environment, contributing to development, testing, and scale-up activities.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Experience in process engineering, hydrometallurgy, or chemical refining environments.
• Hands-on experience with analytical testing techniques (PSD, SSA, XRD).
• Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and process improvement skills.
• High attention to detail with solid technical reporting capability.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to process development and optimisation of high-purity alumina production (including SX and refining).
• Support pilot plant and laboratory operations, ensuring safe and efficient performance.
• Conduct materials testing and analysis (PSD, SSA, XRD) and interpret results.
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, and product quality issues and implement improvements.
• Assist with process trials, scale-up activities, and equipment monitoring (including jet milling and refining systems).
• Maintain accurate documentation, reporting, and data integrity.

Skills

Process engineering

Hydrometallurgy

Analytical testing (PSD/SSA/XRD)

Technical reporting

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

PSD instruments

SSA instruments

XRD equipment

Job description

About the Role

We are currently seeking a Graduate Chemical Engineer to join a Brisbane-based pilot plant and R&D facility supporting the production of ultra-high purity alumina and advanced aluminium materials. This is a full-time casual position, ongoing in nature, with the opportunity to transition to a permanent role after 12 months. This role offers exposure to solvent extraction (SX), refining processes, and process optimisation within a cutting-edge advanced materials environment.

• Contribute to process development and optimisation of high-purity alumina production (including SX and refining)
• Support pilot plant and laboratory operations, ensuring safe and efficient performance
• Conduct materials testing and analysis (PSD, SSA, XRD) and interpret results
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, and product quality issues and implement improvements
• Assist with process trials, scale-up activities, and equipment monitoring (including jet milling and refining systems)
• Maintain accurate documentation, reporting, and data integrity

Skills & Experience

• Degree in Chemical Engineering (or closely related discipline)
• Experience in process engineering, hydrometallurgy, or chemical refining environments
• Hands-on experience with analytical testing techniques (PSD, SSA, XRD)
• Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and process improvement skills
• High attention to detail with solid technical reporting capability
• Driver’s licence and own transport (limited site access via public transport)

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.