Physical Chemist, Ebbw Vale

up to 32,000 per annum

Our client designs and builds Nickel Zinc batteries for Submarines and over the last 5 years their production facility in Ebbw Vale and their team have grown and grown. This role would ideally suit a Graduate looking for a role within Chemistry after recently finishing their degree.

The role plays a vital part in planning and conducting research experiments. You will also assist in other areas within the factory such as quality control and health and safety, particularly regarding chemicals.

• Participate in scale-up and optimisation of our Nickel Zinc technology ensuring a smooth transition of technology to field trials
• Support R&D trials of new products through battery cycling, electrochemical analysis and product teardown.
• Evaluate production failures through data analysis and teardown.
• Provide regular project updates on progress to the line manager as required
• Conduct risk assessments and COSHH assessments
• Work with the R&D Electrochemist to conduct research and development, analyse test results and propose improvements to the design to meet target performance requirements
• Work to a schedule to prepare, perform, monitor, maintain and report on ongoing testing.
• Contribute to the development of project documentation, such as research studies, technical analysis, development of test plans, reports and presentations to the R&D manager and New Technologies team.
• Develop experimental hypotheses and conduct experimental tests as a member of a team or independently.
• Generate and report data to the R&D Manager according to agreed timeframes and milestones
• Ability to attend out of hours meetings with Australian based team (notionally 1-2 hours per week)
• Perform laboratory administrative tasks, such as: maintaining and updating work procedures; maintaining test logs and records; conducting risk assessments; maintain lab facilities, equipment and supplies inventory; managing safe handling and storage of hazardous materials and waste

To be considered you must have a degree qualification (BSc/MChem or similar) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or closely related field of study. Experience isn't required but if you've held placements or paid roles previously it can help. All you need to display already to apply and potentially be successful are the following:

• Sound knowledge of chemical formulation, testing and development.
• A health and safety conscious mindset, with previous experience of COSHH
• A self-reliant, results orientated, energetic, flexible individual with a strong attention to detail and team working ethos
• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills

Other useful skills or experience but which are not essential are:

• Experience of planning and conducting R&D projects using scientific principles to advance the development process
• New product development experience taking novel concepts to commercial success.
• Knowledge of data analysis and visualisation techniques and associated software (e.g. Excel, R, Python)
• Experience utilising electrochemical techniques

Due to the nature of the business and the role itself you must also have the following:

• Hold a current driver's licence
• Be able and willing to Travel overseas or within the UK as required
• Satisfactorily complete a BPSS criminal background check

Acorn by Synergie acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment.