Senior Carbon Chemist

Nicholas Associates; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 5% employer + 3% employee

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Share option scheme

Relocation assistance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Nicholas Associates is seeking a Senior Carbon Chemist in Sheffield to lead development of carbon materials from a new technology. The role includes catalyst development, process optimisation, and cross-functional collaboration to scale up production.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in chemistry with 5+ years in carbon materials research, including microwave-driven reactions. Strong safety discipline and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to work independently with a strong emphasis on collaborative working, within a small multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Design routes to generate high-value carbon materials from base carbon materials (e.g. activated carbon).
• Evaluate the suitability of upgraded carbon materials for high-value applications.
• Characterise carbon materials using BET, XRD, SEM, and related techniques.
• Optimise processes for generating high-value carbon products with minimal energy and consumables.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop practical production methods.
• Support catalyst production operations alongside carbon materials development.
• Support scale-up activities with the chemistry team.
• Ensure safety compliance and maintain an organised laboratory workspace.

Skills

Microwave energy reactions

Carbon materials

Activation processes

Laboratory safety

Problem solving

Communication

Independent yet collaborative

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry

Job description

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
• Holiday - 25 days holiday plus UK bank holidays
• Share option scheme
• Relocation assistance
• Confidential counselling service via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Other details

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