Chemical Engineer - Catalysis Research & Development

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance incentives

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in East London seeks a Chemical Engineer for R&D to design, develop, and test novel catalytic processes. You will work in state-of-the-art labs and collaborate with scientists to advance sustainable chemical transformations.

The role requires 5+ years in catalysis and reaction engineering, hands-on catalyst prep, and reactor design. You will model performance with Aspen Adsim or ChemCAD, scale to pilot, report results, and support IP while upholding safety and environmental

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering with catalysis or reaction engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of R&D experience in catalysis, preferably in industry.
• Strong knowledge of catalytic mechanisms, kinetics, and reactor design.
• Hands-on catalyst preparation and characterization experience.
• Proficiency with process simulation tools such as Aspen Adsim or ChemCAD.
• Excellent analytical, experimental design, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, run, and analyze experiments for catalyst synthesis, characterization, and performance testing.
• Develop and optimize reactor designs for catalytic processes.
• Model catalytic performance using process simulation software.
• Troubleshoot experiments and optimize lab procedures.
• Collaborate with chemists and materials scientists on catalyst projects.
• Scale up promising processes from lab to pilot scale.
• Prepare technical reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance in all lab activities.
• Stay updated with advances in catalysis and engineering.
• Contribute to IP development through patent applications.

Skills

Catalysis

Reaction engineering

Catalyst synthesis

Process simulation

Lab testing

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Adsim

ChemCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering company in advanced materials and chemical innovation, is seeking a talented Chemical Engineer to join their Research and Development team in East London , Eastern Cape . This role is focused on the design, development, and testing of novel catalytic processes for a variety of industrial applications. You will be at the forefront of developing sustainable and efficient chemical transformations, working with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and collaborating with a team of experienced scientists and engineers. The ideal candidate has a strong background in reaction engineering, catalysis, and process development, with a passion for innovation. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking work in the field of catalysis in East London .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and analyze experiments related to catalyst synthesis, characterization, and performance testing.
• Develop and optimize chemical reactor designs for catalytic processes.
• Utilize process simulation software to model and predict catalytic reaction performance.
• Troubleshoot experimental issues and optimize laboratory procedures.
• Collaborate with chemists and material scientists on catalyst development projects.
• Scale-up promising catalytic processes from laboratory to pilot-scale operations.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research proposals, and presentations.
• Ensure all laboratory activities adhere to strict safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in catalysis science and engineering.
• Contribute to intellectual property development through patent applications.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in catalysis or reaction engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant R&D experience in catalysis, preferably in an industrial setting.
• Strong theoretical understanding of catalytic mechanisms, kinetics, and reactor design.
• Hands-on experience with catalyst preparation and characterization techniques.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Adsim, ChemCAD).
• Excellent analytical, experimental design, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Experience with heterogeneous catalysis is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with green chemistry principles is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance incentives, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and ample opportunities for professional development and training. This role provides a chance to work on cutting-edge R&D projects in a dynamic environment located in East London . Our client fosters a culture of scientific curiosity and collaboration, supporting innovation in chemical technology.