NPI Scientist

-; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in water and wastewater treatment is seeking a Scientist to contribute to the design and development of innovative lithium extraction technologies. The role involves hands-on lab work, leading DLE technology implementation, and supporting patent development. Ideal candidates will have a strong educational background and relevant industry experience, along with excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of hands-on experience with DLE technologies.
• Experience with lithium brine resources and optimizing recovery efficiency.
• Strong writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of DLE technologies.
• Design and conduct laboratory and pilot-scale experiments.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data for decision-making.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Ph.D., M.S., or Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry

Job description

We are looking to add a Scientist to our client's growing team in Houston. This is a hands-on role that involves working in a lab environment (and potentially commercial site). The scientist will be responsible for contributing to the design and development of water and wastewater treatment products/plants, particularly those related to direct lithium extraction (DLE).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead development and implementation of DLE technologies in the US.
• Identify and evaluate new materials, sorbents, membranes, and process configurations for DLE applications.
• Design and conduct laboratory and pilot-scale experiments to evaluate extraction performance and optimize process parameters.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to drive decision-making and improvements in extraction efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability.
• Support patent filings and intellectual property (IP) development related to innovative lithium extraction methods.
• Produce technical documentation, SOPs, and reports to support process validation and regulatory compliance.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED or PREFERRED:

• Ph.D., M.S., or Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• At least 3-5 years of industry hands-on experience with DLE technologies, including ion-exchange, adsorption, solvent extraction, or membrane-based separation techniques. Examples:
• Working with lithium brine resources and optimizing lithium recovery efficiency.
• Sorbent material development and characterization for lithium extraction.
• Previous involvement in pilot plant operations or commercial-scale lithium extraction projects.

Excellent critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

Experience in process development, scale-up, and technology transfer in an industrial setting.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with cross-disciplinary teams.

Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.