Senior Carbon Chemist

Nicholas Associates Group; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 5% employer contribution

Relocation assistance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Nicholas Associates in Sheffield is seeking a Senior Carbon Chemist to lead development of carbon materials for a cutting-edge client. The role requires expertise in carbon materials, activation processes, and catalyst development, with a Ph.D. and 5+ years of post-university experience preferred.

You will design routes to generate high value carbon products, ensure safe laboratory practices, and collaborate with a small multi-disciplinary team on scale‑up activities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry is required.
• 5+ years post-university research in Carbon materials or related field

Responsibilities

• Design routes to generate high value carbon materials from base Carbon materials.
• Evaluate the suitability of upgraded carbon materials for high value applications.
• Characterise carbon materials using BET, XRD, SEM and related techniques.
• Optimise processes to minimise energy and consumables usage.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop production methods.
• Support catalyst production and scale-up activities.
• Ensure safety regulations compliance and maintain clean lab workspace.

Skills

Microwave energy-driven reactions

Carbon materials knowledge

Carbon activation processes

Laboratory safety protocols

Problem solving

Written & verbal communication

Independent with collaborative team

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry

Job description

• Job Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Position: Senior Carbon Chemist
Location: Sheffield
Salary: £45-55K, commensurate with experience + benefits

Nicholas Associates has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Carbon Chemist to work with an innovative & cutting edge client in Sheffield.

The Role

We are seeking a talented Senior chemist to lead the development of Carbon materials generated by our client's new technology. The ideal candidate will also have experience in catalyst development and optimisation.

Responsibilities

As part of the technical team, the Senior Chemist's responsibilities will include:

• Designing routes to generate high value carbon materials from a base Carbon material (e.g. activated Carbon or hard Carbon).
• Evaluating the suitability of upgraded Carbon materials for high value applications.
• Characterising Carbon materials using relevant techniques such as BET, XRD, SEM, etc.
• Optimising processes for generating high value Carbon products to ensure minimal energy/consumables usage for the optimal product.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop practical production methods for the developed Carbon materials.
• Supporting catalyst production operations alongside carbon materials development work.
• Supporting scale-up activities in collaboration with the existing chemistry team.
• Ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining a clean and organised laboratory workspace (e.g. risk assessment and COSHH).

Qualifications, experience and skills

• An advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D. in chemistry
• 5+ years of post-university research in Carbon materials or a related field
• Experience with microwave energy-driven chemical reactions highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Characteristics of Carbon materials and routes to generate them (e.g. Carbon activation processes)
• Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols and practices.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate research findings.
• Ability to work independently with a strong emphasis on collaborative working, within a small multi-disciplinary team.

What we can offer you

• Pension - Employers pension contributions of 5% to accompany a 3% employees contribution
• Relocation assistance
• Confidential counselling service via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• All applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.

For more information on this vacancy please contact uson 07856 919293.