Senior Carbon Chemist – Lead Materials & Catalysts

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

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.