Industrial Post-Doctoral Research Assistant Biomass-Derived Renewable Chemicals

Sasol Technology (UK) Ltd

The Company
Sasol Technology UK (STUK) is based in St Andrews, Scotland and is part of the research and development arm of the Sasol Group. Tasked with fundamental research in the fields of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, our goals are to create new, sustainable fuel and chemical production processes. STUK is housed in state-of-the-art private laboratories equipped to a world-leading standard within the School of Chemistry of the University of St Andrews.

STUK provides solutions to the wider Sasol Group which has a market capitalisation of approximately US$ 30 billion, and is an integrated energy and chemicals company driven by innovation. An exciting new opportunity has arisen in the conversion of biomass-derived products to renewable chemicals and we are looking to appoint a post-doctoral researcher as part of a team involving another scientist and a process engineer.

The Project
The 12 month, full-time, fixed-term appointment at our St Andrews facility will start as soon as mutually agreeable.
This will involve:

• Familiarising yourself with the relevant literature and writing an internal literature review;
• Using your expert knowledge and judgement to prepare, identify and test a range of different catalysts for a novel conversion of a biomass-derived molecule;
• Building or modifying existing equipment to run this transformation in continuous mode on laboratory scale;
• Liaising with internal colleagues and experts to quickly identify and solve any process issues that may arise;
• Characterising the materials produced (catalysts and reaction mixtures) using state-of-the-art microscopy and materials science facilities available.

The Candidate
The post will require an exceptional candidate with the following set of skills and experience :

• an in-depth (PhD level and above) knowledge of chemistry, especially in the field of catalysis.
• experience of building laboratory-scale reactor systems.
• demonstrate the ability to set up and independently run an experimental programme based on direction given.
• enthusiastic and driven, with a passion for chemistry and will be able to meet the demands of a project with tight deadlines.
• demonstrate outstanding interpersonal, team and organisational skills which will allow you to succeed in this exciting and challenging new project.
• Experience in one or more of the following would be an advantage:
  • catalysis involving bio-based feedstocks;
  • synthesis and characterisation of heterogeneous catalysts;
  • selective oxidations;
  • running continuous processes on a laboratory scale.
• Travel to Europe and South Africa may be required.

Remuneration Package

• In return we offer an opportunity for industrial experience in the field of renewable chemicals as well as exposure to a corporate research environment.
• Sasol offers a competitive remuneration package which includes personal pension, participation in a short-term incentive bonus scheme, health and travel insurance and a competitive salary commensurate with the experience of the candidate.

The Selection Procedure
Informal telephone enquiries can be made before the closing date to Dr. Ronan M. Bellabarba, (01334 460 934) or by email to ronan.bellabarba@eu.sasol.com.

If you wish to apply for this position please send a CV with a covering letter outlining how you could contribute to the success of the project, by e-mail or by post to: Dr. Ronan M. Bellabarba, Sasol Technology (UK) Ltd. Purdie Building, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, Scotland, by clicking on the APPLY ONLINE button below

Closing Date: Friday 27 April 2012