Chemist or similar (m/w/d) for catalysis & reaction optimization of our recycling technology

Chemstars; Aachen; Sur place; EUR 70 000 - 100 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

SECARA in Aachen is seeking a highly motivated scientist to drive the depolymerization process. You will optimize catalysis, study heterogeneous catalyst systems, and scale experiments from 10 mL to multi-liter reactors.

The role requires an MSc or PhD in technical chemistry or polymer chemistry, strong lab skills, and excellent English. You will work hands-on in a fast-growing sustainability scale-up and contribute to impactful waste-to-monomer projects.

Qualifications

• M.Sc or PhD in Technical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or related field.
• Hands-on lab experience in heterogeneous catalysis and polymer chemistry.
• Excellent English speaking and writing.
• Independent, structured working style with initiative.

Responsabilités

• Optimizing catalysis and reaction performance, improving depolymerization process.
• Develop and optimize heterogeneous catalyst systems for depolymerization.
• Studies across multiple orders of magnitude: from 10 mL lab scale to multi-liter reactors.
• Catalyst characterization with state-of-the-art methods (XRD, BET, TPR, SEM/EDX and others).
• Systematically optimize reaction conditions and reactor parameters to maximize monomer yield and selectivity.
• Analytical characterization of reaction mixtures and products via GC, HPLC, NMR, GPC.
• Develop reaction networks for complex input streams.
• Screen the literature and patent landscape in chemical plastics recycling and catalysis.

Connaissances

Heterogeneous catalysis lab experience

Polymer chemistry

Chemical recycling

English proficiency

Independent working style

Formation

M.Sc or PhD in Technical Chemistry or Polymer Chemistry or comparable field

Description du poste

What we can offer

• Becoming core part of a sustainability scale-up to establish circular value chains for technical polymers
• Real impact - develop the process that will divert thousands of tonnes of technical plastics from incineration
• Hands-on - run experiments across multiple scales, from 10 mL batch to multi-liter automated reactors
• Fast track to ownership: direct responsibility for impactful topics Further terms and conditions: Our team is currently located in Aachen

Your role

You will be working full-time on a crucial work stream for our technology:

• Optimizing catalysis and reaction performance, improving our depolymerization process.
• Develop and optimize heterogeneous catalyst systems for depolymerization
• Studies across multiple orders of magnitude: from 10 mL lab scale up to multi-liter reactors (scale-up)
• Catalyst characterization with state-of-the-art methods (XRD, BET, TPR, SEM/EDX and others)
• Systematically optimize reaction conditions and reactor parameters to maximize monomer yield and selectivity for pure and mixed waste streams
• Analytical characterization of reaction mixtures and products via GC, HPLC, NMR, GPC and further techniques
• Develop reaction networks for complex input streams
• Screen the literature and patent landscape in chemical plastics recycling and catalysis

What we are looking for

Must-haves:

• Completed M.Sc or PhD in Technical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry or a comparable field
• Solid hands-on lab experience in heterogeneous catalysis, polymer chemistry and/or (chemical) recycling
• Excellent English skills in speaking and writing (team language)
• Independent, structured working style with exceptional personal initiative

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with scale-up and reactor design
• Interest in a long-term engagement to support us on our scale-up pathway German language skills

Even if you don't match all of the requirements above, we are curious to hear why you believe you are a great fit for this role.