Membrane Scientist

Fibracast Ltd.; Hannon; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fibracast Ltd. seeks a highly skilled Membrane Scientist for R&D on UF/MBR membranes based in Hannon, ON. You will design experiments, characterize materials, and collaborate with engineering and production teams to improve membrane performance and reliability.

The role involves translating laboratory innovations into scalable processes, writing technical reports, and supporting product commercialization in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Formulate and optimize polymer dopes, coatings, and post-treatments for MF/UF/NF membranes.
• Conduct membrane casting, coating, and lab-scale fabrication.
• Knowledge of gas-separation application is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct R&D on UF and MBR membranes, including designing experiments.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to optimize materials and configurations.
• Troubleshoot performance issues in pilot and full-scale systems.
• Prepare technical reports and support product commercialization.
• Stay current with advances in membrane science and wastewater treatment technologies.
• Collaborate with QA and manufacturing during validation and commercialization.

Skills

Membrane science

DOE design experiments

Lab-scale fabrication

Job description

Company Description

Fibracast Ltd. is a global innovator and manufacturer of FibrePlate™, an advanced membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology featuring a revolutionary flow-through design. Built on over 30 years of immersed hollow-fiber membrane experience, FibrePlate™ addresses common operational challenges such as fiber breakage, sludging, debris collection, hydraulic restrictions, cleaning frequency, and footprint size. By combining the strengths of hollow fiber and plate-and-frame technologies in a unique hybrid configuration, Fibracast delivers enhanced membrane performance and reliability. Its vertical header design enables free-flow of RAS across the membrane surface and uses RAS energy as the primary scouring mechanism, reducing aeration requirements and energy consumption. For more information about Fibracast and FibrePlate™ membranes, applicants can visit www.fibracast.com.

Role Description

The Membrane Scientist role is a full-time, on-site position based in Hannon, ON. The Membrane Scientist will conduct research and development on UF and MBR membranes, including designing experiments, characterizing membrane performance, and analyzing data to improve product efficiency and reliability. Day-to-day responsibilities include collaborating with engineering and production teams, optimizing membrane materials and configurations, and troubleshooting performance issues in pilot and full-scale systems. The role involves preparing technical reports, supporting product commercialization, and contributing scientific expertise to customer applications and field evaluations. The Membrane Scientist will also maintain laboratory best practices, ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, and stay current with advances in membrane science and wastewater treatment technologies.

Job Summary

This role is a highly skilled and hands-on Membrane Scientist with a strong background in chemistry, polymer science, and material formulation. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the research, development, and optimization of microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), and nanofiltration (NF) membranes for next-generation water and wastewater treatment applications. You will leverage your deep knowledge of polymer chemistry and material characterization to solve complex challenges and contribute to the entire membrane lifecycle: from concept design, synthesis, and lab-scale fabrication to pilot testing, scale-up, and transfer to manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Formulate and optimize polymer dopes, coatings, and post-treatments for MF/UF/NF membranes.
• Conduct membrane casting, coating, and lab-scale fabrication.
• Knowledge of gas-separation application is an asset.

Characterization & Testing

• Perform structural and chemical characterization.
• Evaluate membrane performance (flux, permeability, retention, fouling, durability).

Data Analysis & Documentation

• Design experiments (DOE), analyze complex datasets, and generate high-quality technical reports.
• Present findings and recommendations to management.

Troubleshooting & Optimization

• Investigate root causes of membrane defects or performance decline.
• Improve membrane permeability, selectivity, and chemical/mechanical robustness.
• Support pilot-scale trials, process optimization, and transfer of new membranes to manufacturing.
• Collaborate with engineering, QA and manufacturing during validation and commercialization.

Innovation Leadership

• Stay current on advancements in membrane materials and polymer chemistry.