At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in developing innovative systems that turn wastewater into renewable energy.
- Company: Byohm, a pioneering clean tech company based in Coventry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, health programme, and free parking.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for hands-on research.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and environmental innovation.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 36000 £ per year.
About Us: Byohm, the trading name for Wastewater Fuels Ltd, is a UK-based clean technology company pioneering next-generation wastewater treatment and renewable energy systems. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Coventry, West Midlands, we develop bio-electrochemical systems (BES) that convert wastewater into treated water and renewable fuels. Driven by a mission to revolutionise wastewater treatment through low-energy, sustainable technologies, we aim to recover energy and protect natural resources. Our vision is to create a world where every drop of wastewater and organic waste contributes to a circular, decarbonised economy — transforming what was once waste into a valuable source of clean energy and environmental resilience.
Job Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Chemist / Chemical Engineer to support the development, optimisation, and scale-up of Microbial Electrochemical Cell – Anaerobic Digestion systems (MEC-AD) and Microbial Fuel Cells for wastewater treatment. The successful applicant will contribute to the research, design, testing, and engineering optimisation of integrated anaerobic digestion and bio-electrochemical systems. This role is suited to a candidate with skills in the following areas; electrochemistry, anaerobic digestion, process design, and applied research, with an interest in developing scalable technologies for renewable energy, waste treatment, and resource recovery.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Supporting the research and development of bio-electrochemical systems from laboratory scale through to pilot and scale-up stages.
- Designing, testing, and optimising anaerobic digestion and microbial electrochemical systems.
- Utilising CAD software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks to create detailed schematics and system layouts.
- Assisting with process design, reactor configuration, materials selection, and system integration.
- Analysing system performance, including biogas production, methane yield, COD removal, volatile fatty acids, pH, alkalinity, nutrient balance, and electrochemical performance.
- Developing experimental plans, operating procedures, and technical reports.
- Supporting scale-up studies, including mass and energy balances, hydraulic design, mixing considerations, and process control requirements.
- Identifying opportunities to improve system efficiency, stability, and commercial viability.
- Working with multidisciplinary teams, including chemical engineers, microbiologists, electrochemists, and process engineers.
- Reviewing scientific literature and applying current research findings to system design and optimisation.
- Communication of project progress with internal and external stakeholders.
- Supporting grant applications, technical proposals, presentations, and publications where required.
Essential Requirements:
- A Master’s degree or higher in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience designing, operating, or analysing laboratory-scale or pilot-scale bioreactors.
- Knowledge of process engineering principles, including mass transfer, reaction kinetics, heat and mass balances, and process optimisation.
- Experience with microbial electrochemical systems, including microbial electrolysis cells, microbial fuel cells, bio-electrochemical reactors, or related technologies.
- Ability to interpret experimental data and prepare clear technical reports.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- A practical, hands-on approach to experimental research and engineering design.
- Good awareness of laboratory safety, risk assessments, and safe operating procedures.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Skills and Experience:
- Knowledge of electrochemistry, including electrode materials, cell design, voltage/current measurement, cyclic voltammetry, impedance analysis, or electrochemical reactor performance.
- Understanding of microbiology, particularly anaerobic microbial communities, methanogens, biofilms, syntrophic interactions, and microbial pathways involved in anaerobic digestion.
- Experience with CFD – Computational Fluid Dynamics, particularly for reactor design, mixing analysis, fluid flow, mass transfer, or scale-up studies.
- Familiarity with reactor scale-up, pilot plant design, or technology demonstration projects.
- Knowledge of renewable energy systems, wastewater treatment, organic waste treatment, or circular economy technologies.
- Experience with gas analysis, chromatography, spectrophotometry, electrochemical testing, or biochemical methane potential testing.
- Experience preparing academic publications, technical reports, grant proposals, or patent-supporting documentation.
Personal Attributes:
- Curious, research-driven, and technically rigorous.
- Comfortable with a hands-on approach to working on emerging technologies with evolving design requirements.
- Able to translate laboratory findings into practical engineering improvements.
- Organised and capable of managing experimental work, data, and documentation.
- Collaborative, proactive, and willing to contribute new ideas across disciplines.
- Motivated by sustainable technology, renewable energy, and environmental innovation.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary (£27k to £36k pa, subject to experience)
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s): Minimum qualification: Master’s degree in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Education: Master’s (required)
Work authorisation: United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Research Chemist / Chemical Engineer in Leicester employer: BYOHM
Byohm, a pioneering clean technology company based in Coventry, offers an exceptional work environment for Research Chemists and Chemical Engineers. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that encourages professional growth through hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies. The company provides competitive salaries, a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme, and opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects that transform wastewater into renewable energy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Chemist / Chemical Engineer in Leicester
✨Get Involved in the Chemistry Community
Engage with local chemistry societies and attend their events. Whether it's a conference or a seminar, these gatherings can be gold mines for networking and spotting job openings at companies like BYOHM. Plus, being face-to-face with industry professionals can leave a lasting impression!
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Create a professional online portfolio that highlights your chemistry projects or research. This could be a blog or a simple website that showcases your skills and experience. When you apply to BYOHM, you want them to see what you can do beyond the CV.
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We think you need these skills to ace Research Chemist / Chemical Engineer in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:When applying for a chemistry position, make sure to highlight any lab experience you've got. Mention specific techniques and instruments you've worked with, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For us, demonstrating your practical skills is as important as your theoretical knowledge!
Tailor Your CV to Chemistry:It's essential to structure your CV in a way that’s appealing for a chemistry role. Highlight relevant projects, research publications, and coursework that demonstrate your expertise. If you’ve completed specific certifications, make sure to list those as well—they can really boost your chances!
Craft a Chemistry-Focused Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your enthusiasm for the field of chemistry and why you want to work at BYOHM. Talk about any research or projects that inspire you, and express your willingness to contribute to the team. We love seeing genuine passion for chemistry in applications!
Include Relevant References:Since chemistry roles can be quite specific, having reference letters from professors or previous employers in the field can be a huge plus. Make sure to include contacts who can vouch for your skills and dedication, as it adds credibility to your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at BYOHM
✨Know Your Experiments
Get ready to chat about your hands-on experience in the lab. We should be prepared to discuss specific experiments we've conducted, the results, and any challenges we faced. This shows them we don't just know the theory but can apply it in practice!
✨Master the Technical Speak
Brush up on the relevant terminology and concepts in chemistry. Make sure we can discuss different chemical processes, analytical techniques, and safety protocols fluently, as they might throw some technical questions our way. Being precise and confident can really set us apart!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make a portfolio showcasing our best lab work and any research projects we've been involved in. It's a great way to demonstrate our skills and passion for chemistry. We should tailor it to highlight the aspects most relevant to BYOHM and the Research Chemist / Chemical Engineer role.
✨Be Ready for Problem Solving
Expect some scenario-based questions where we might need to solve chemical problems on the spot. They could ask about unexpected results or how to improve a process. Let's practice thinking on our feet and explaining our thought process clearly!
