Research Chemist / Chemical Engineer

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.

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