Electrochemical Water Treatment Innovator (KTP Associate)

Heriot-Watt University; Easter Howgate; Sur place; GBP 31 000 - 42 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Heriot-Watt University and Sidon Water Ltd seek a KTP Associate to develop a predictive model for the Integro electrochemical water-conditioning technology. Based mainly at Sidon Water in Glenrothes with around nine months at Heriot-Watt's Riccarton campus, the role combines lab work, data analysis and commercial translation.

The project offers training, multidisciplinary collaboration and a potential permanent position with Sidon Water after completion.

Qualifications

• A Master's degree, or equivalent postgraduate-level knowledge and experience, in chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science, mechanical/process engineering, physics, water science or a closely related discipline.
• Practical research or laboratory experience relevant to electrochemistry, water chemistry, mineral scaling, materials or surface science, water treatment, chemical/process engineering or environmental systems.
• Ability to design, plan and execute experiments, maintain accurate records, evaluate results critically and troubleshoot practical laboratory or technical problems.
• Strong data literacy, including experience of analysing and interpreting complex datasets and using evidence to support scientific, engineering or strategic decisions.
• Project-management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage a complex workplan, competing priorities, risks, deadlines and engagement across multiple stakeholders.
• Written communication skills, including experience of using technical data to prepare reports, articles, presentations, procedures or other clear evidence-based outputs.
• Verbal communication and stakeholder-engagement skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across academic, technical and commercial teams while also working independently.
• Strong IT skills, including competence in Microsoft Excel and Word and confidence learning new analytical, modelling and data-management tools.
• A practical, proactive and creative approach to problem solving, with strong self-motivation, attention to detail, adaptability and resilience.
• A genuine commitment to the successful transfer and embedding of knowledge within Sidon Water and to the wider environmental and commercial aims of the project.
• Ability and willingness to work primarily from Sidon Water's Glenrothes premises and to travel regularly to Heriot-Watt University's Riccarton campus and, where required, relevant customer or partner sites.
• A PhD, MRes, MPhil or equivalent advanced research experience in electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, environmental science, chemistry, physics, water treatment or a related discipline.
• Experience with electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry or related methods.
• Experience with, or the ability to specify and interpret, materials and surface-characterisation techniques such as SEM, EDS, XPS or XRD.
• Knowledge of industrial water treatment, water chemistry, mineral scaling, reverse osmosis, desalination, heat-exchange systems or related process-water applications.
• Experience of statistical analysis, predictive modelling, data science or the use of software such as Python, R, MATLAB or equivalent analytical tools.
• Experience of developing experimental protocols, standard operating procedures or repeatable laboratory/testing systems.
• Experience of working with external laboratories, suppliers, customers, industrial partners or multidisciplinary research teams.
• Awareness of technology commercialisation, technical sales, customer qualification or the identification of market and business opportunities.

Responsabilités

• Plan and manage project activity in line with the approved workplan, including project scheduling, budgets, milestones, reporting, risk management and engagement with the Local Management Committee.
• Design and carry out a structured programme of laboratory and applied research covering electrochemical behaviour, mineral nucleation, scale formation, water chemistry and operating conditions.
• Use and interpret electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and related techniques to investigate ion behaviour, charge-transfer processes and early-stage mineral nucleation.
• Develop and validate methods for monitoring nucleation and scale-suppression behaviour, working with Heriot-Watt specialists to ensure scientific rigour and commercial relevance.
• Specify, coordinate and interpret materials and surface-characterisation studies, potentially including SEM, EDS, XPS and XRD, to understand mineral composition, growth and adhesion.
• Establish Sidon Water's internal water-chemistry testing capability, including methods for hardness, alkalinity, pH, conductivity, dissolved solids and scaling indices such as LSI and RSI.
• Evaluate how water composition, temperature, flow, pressure and other operating conditions influence performance, and define an operational performance envelope for the Integro technology.
• Integrate electrochemical, water-chemistry, materials and operational datasets into a validated predictive model capable of forecasting performance under different site conditions.
• Create and embed standard operating procedures, testing protocols, supplier and intellectual-property databases, decision tools and evidence-management processes within Sidon Water.
• Translate technical findings into practical technical-sales materials, application guides, customer-qualification tools, case studies, training materials and recommendations for targeted validation trials.
• Support knowledge-transfer workshops and training for Sidon Water's technical, commercial and distributor teams, enabling colleagues to use the new tools and methodologies independently.
• Contribute to publications, conference presentations and wider dissemination of project outcomes, while protecting commercially sensitive and intellectual-property information.
• Actively participate in the activities of the wider Sidon Water and Heriot-Watt teams as a collaborative and visible member of the partnership.

Connaissances

Electrochemistry

Data analysis

Project management

Lab techniques

Communication

Modelling

Water chemistry

Materials science

Environmental engineering

Formation

Master's degree in chemistry or related

Practical research/lab experience in electrochemistry or water chemistry

Description du poste

Heriot-Watt University and Sidon Water Ltd seek a KTP Associate to develop a predictive model for the Integro electrochemical water-conditioning technology. Based mainly at Sidon Water in Glenrothes with around nine months at Heriot-Watt's Riccarton campus, the role combines lab work, data analysis and commercial translation.

The project offers training, multidisciplinary collaboration and a potential permanent position with Sidon Water after completion.