Process Operator

Nova Biochem; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Biochem in Nottingham is seeking a Process Operator to join the lab and pilot operations team. You will support safe, consistent running of the depolymerisation prototype, helping with process development and scale‑up planning.

You will work hands-on with depolymerisation, analytics and separation, recording observations and collaborating with R&D to inform operating practices. This role offers exposure to novel process tech in a growing climate‑tech company.

Qualifications

• Experience operating process equipment in an industrial, pilot-scale, or technical environment.
• Comfortable following operating procedures and running equipment safely.
• Strong attention to detail and methodical approach to operation.
• Ability to monitor conditions and recognise deviations from normal parameters.
• Good record‑keeping and documentation habits.

Responsibilities

• Prepare biomass feedstocks and materials for planned depolymerisation runs.
• Set up, operate and shut down the depolymerisation prototype safely and consistently.
• Monitor temperature, pressure and flow and report deviations.
• Carry out downstream processing including filtration, phase separation, acidification and product recovery.
• Maintain records of process parameters and observations.
• Collaborate with technical and R&D teams for experiments and improvements.
• Carry out routine equipment checks and basic maintenance.
• Escalate equipment faults requiring engineering support.
• Follow SOPs and safety procedures for high‑temperature/high‑pressure systems.
• Ensure feedstocks and materials are available for planned runs.

Skills

Process operation

Pilot‑scale experience

Safety procedures

Record keeping

Chemical handling

Problem solving

Independent & team

High temp/high pressure

Engineering background

PFDs/P&IDs familiarity

Education

Engineering degree in chemical/mechanical/process

Job description

Salary: To be negotiated, based on experience

Location: Nottingham, UK

About Nova Biochem

Nova Biochem is a climate-tech company pioneering the transformation of industrial by-products into high-value, sustainable chemicals. Using our proprietary hydrothermal depolymerisation process, we convert lignin-rich residues from pulping and agriculture into renewable aromatic building blocks used in coatings, plastics, and resins - replacing fossil inputs and cutting emissions at the source.

Our mission is to unlock a circular, low‑carbon model for industrial chemistry - creating new value from waste while reducing millions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Based in Nottingham, we’re entering a scale‑up phase, expanding lab and pilot operations, delivering a €7.5M EU‑funded project, and laying the groundwork for commercialisation.

This is a pivotal moment to join a small, mission‑driven team determined to reshape the chemical industry through practical innovation.

The Role

We are seeking a Process Operator to join our Nottingham lab and pilot operations team and support the safe, consistent running of Nova Biochem’s supercritical water depolymerisation prototype.

This is a hands‑on role within a small team working across depolymerisation, analytics and separation. You will play an important part in supporting R&D, product validation and the development of operating practices that will inform future scale‑up.

This is an opportunity to work directly with novel process technology at a critical stage of development, gaining exposure to pilot operations while helping shape the processes and operating standards that will support Nova Biochem’s move towards larger‑scale production.

Key Responsibilities

Process Operations

• Prepare biomass feedstocks and materials for planned depolymerisation runs.
• Set up, operate and shut down the depolymerisation prototype safely and consistently in line with established procedures.
• Monitor key process conditions such as temperature, pressure and flow, identifying and reporting any deviations or abnormal operating conditions.
• Carry out downstream processing activities including filtration, phase separation, acidification and product recovery.
• Maintain accurate records of process parameters, materials used and operational observations.
• Work closely with the technical and R&D teams to support experiments, process development and continuous improvement.

Equipment & Safety

• Carry out routine equipment checks, cleaning and basic operator‑level maintenance to keep the system ready for use.
• Identify equipment faults, wear or performance issues and escalat­e those requiring technical or engineering support.
• Handle chemicals and process materials safely and maintain a clean, organised working environment.
• Follow relevant SOPs, risk assessments and safety procedures when operating high‑temperature and high‑pressure equipment.
• Help ensure feedstocks, consumables and operating materials are available for planned runs.

Who You Are

You are practical, reliable and methodical and enjoy working directly with processes and equipment.

You take pride in operating systems correctly and consistently and understand that small deviations in how a process is run can have a significant impact on its performance.

You are comfortable following procedures while remaining observant enough to recognise when something does not look or behave as expected. You take responsibility for the equipment and processes you operate, maintain accurate records and raise issues early rather than allowing them to develop into larger problems.

You will be comfortable working in a small, fast‑moving company where processes are still evolving and where operators play an important part in helping the wider technical team understand how the technology performs in practice.

• Experience operating process equipment in an industrial, pilot‑scale, or technical environment.
• Comfortable following operating procedures and running equipment consistently and safely.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to process operation.
• Ability to monitor equipment and process conditions and recognise when something is operating outside normal parameters.
• Good record‑keeping and documentation habits.
• Comfortable handling industrial chemicals and process materials safely.
• Practical problem‑solving skills and willingness to carry out basic operator‑level equipment checks and upkeep.
• Organised and self‑driven, with the ability to manage time‑sensitive process runs.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Clear communicator with a high level of integrity and personal accountability.
• Experience with high‑temperature or high‑pressure systems (or supercritical fluids, especially supercritical water).
• Background in process, mechanical, or chemical engineering, or equivalent technical training.
• Familiarity with process documentation such as PFDs, P&IDs, or standard operating procedures.
• Experience contributing to process improvement, scale‑up, or pilot plant operations.
• Interest in sustainable technologies and continuous learning.

Why Join Us?

At Nova Biochem, you’ll join a small, ambitious team translating breakthrough science into real‑world impact. As part of our core operations team, your work will help ensure our depolymerisation prototype runs safely, reliably, and efficiently as we turn innovative chemistry into practical results.

You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with new technology, gain hands‑on experience in process development, and see your efforts contribute to product validation and future scale‑up. Every improvement you make and every process you help refine will move us closer to a more sustainable chemical industry.

If you’re motivated by purpose and excited to turn scientific breakthroughs into real‑world impact, we’d love to hear from you.