Reaction Hazards Chemists

Matthey; Sonning; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading materials company located in Sonning, England is seeking a Reaction Hazards Chemist. This role involves evaluating the safety properties of materials and conducting various hazard tests. Ideal candidates will have a degree in chemistry and laboratory experience, along with proficiency in related testing equipment. Benefits include competitive salaries and hybrid working options. If you're passionate about safety in chemical processes, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Competitive, fair and aligned salaries

Hybrid and flexible working support

Retirement savings and share plans

Medical plans and health assessments

Fitness discounts

Qualifications

• Degree in chemistry or a related field.
• Good understanding of PGM chemistry is desirable.
• Laboratory experience in related settings.
• Experience with various reaction hazard testing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate safety properties and operating envelopes of materials.
• Consult on required testing for various stakeholders.
• Conduct reaction hazard testing for JM sites and customers.
• Develop in-house methods for specific processes.
• Build business cases for new equipment acquisition.

Skills

Understanding of PGM chemistry

Understanding of reaction chemistry

Laboratory experience

Experience with differential scanning calorimetry

Experience in reaction kinetics

Experience in reaction hazards and/or process safety

Education

Degree in chemistry or related discipline

Tools

Differential scanning calorimetry

Thermal gravimetric analysis

Carius tube

Isothermal calorimetry

Hartman tube equipment

Godbert Greenwald oven

Job description

Reaction Hazards Chemists Matthey • Sonning, England, GB

Overview

As a Reaction Hazards Chemist, you will evaluate the safety properties and operating envelopes of JM’s materials, including Platinum Group Metal (PGM) complexes, catalysts and processes. This hands‑on role involves setting up a reaction hazards laboratory, performing calorimetry, thermal analysis and dust testing, and advising businesses on required testing.

Responsibilities

• Consult on required testing for JM’s sites, businesses and potential customers.
• Undertake reaction hazard testing (calorimetry, thermal analysis, dust testing) in support of JMs sites, businesses and customers.
• Collaborate with JM businesses and JMTC on specific projects, identifying relevant testing and supporting interpretation of results.
• Develop in‑house methods where standard tests do not adequately cover the process or are not easily applicable to JMs process chemistries, often involving evaluation of PGM‑based chemistries.
• Build the business case for bringing further equipment and experimental methods in‑house.
• Collaborate with wider JMTC to provide additional insight into process safety.

Qualifications and Skills

• Degree in chemistry (or related discipline).
• Good understanding of PGM chemistry (desirable).
• Good understanding of reaction chemistry.
• Laboratory experience.
• Experience with operating equipment such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, Carius tube, isothermal calorimetry, Hartman tube equipment and Godbert Greenwald oven.
• Experience in reaction kinetics (desirable).
• Experience in reaction hazards and/or process safety.

Benefits

• Competitive, fair and aligned salaries.
• Hybrid and flexible working support.
• Retirement savings, share plans, savings accounts and house saving funds.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Commuter allowances and loans.
• Medical plans and health assessments.
• Fitness discounts.

Equal Opportunities

Johnson Matthey Plc is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.