At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the scale-up of innovative lithium extraction technology from lab to field deployment.
- Company: Join Eligentis, a pioneering company transforming lithium extraction for a sustainable future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee share options, generous holiday, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Exciting international travel opportunities and strong growth potential as the company scales.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while working with industry leaders in a dynamic start-up environment.
- Qualifications: Background in chemical engineering or related fields, with hands-on process development experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 65000 £ per year.
Eligentis is transforming lithium extraction for a sustainable future. By leveraging an innovative Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, we are enabling sustainable lithium supply for the global electrification in the decades to come.
60% of global Li reserves are in brines. Traditional pond evaporation methods are capital-intensive, environmentally damaging and have slow throughput. DLE mitigates these challenges via selective extraction of Li ions, improving speed, efficiency, and environmental impact.
Eligentis’ next-generation sorbent technology delivers high Li uptake capacity, high selectivity, and uses a low-cost manufacturing process. This combination of high performance and low costs affords access to lower cost and cleaner lithium products for Li-ion batteries.
Sustainability Impact:
- Direct re-injection into aquifers of spent brine minimises water usage
- No large evaporation ponds or large land disruption
- Near-original water chemistry after Li extraction with minimal chemical footprint
- Building a resilient global lithium supply chain provides the backbone for the energy transition
We are seeking a highly capable Process Scale-up Lead to take ownership of scaling the process of our direct lithium extraction technology from lab to field deployment. This is a foundational role at the heart of our scale-up journey – where you will define the process architecture, build a pilot system from scratch, and generate the data that underpins commercial deployment.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to:
- Lead the scale-up of a sorbent process technology
- Take ownership from lab to pilot and field deployment
- Work at the interface of engineering, chemistry, and commercial delivery
Key responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and optimise lithium extraction process using Eligentis’ proprietary sorbent technology
- Develop optimised process packages for customers’ brine waters
- Generate and analyse experimental data to improve process performance and economics
- Develop process models and material balance to support engineering design
- Work closely with materials scientists to maximise overall system performance
- Lead the design and construction of pilot-scale systems in collaboration with consultants and suppliers
- Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), operating procedures, commissioning plans, and test protocols
- Work with engineering consultants and equipment suppliers to specify, procure, and integrate equipment
- Lead HAZOP study, risk assessment, and process safety review
- Commission and troubleshoot pilot systems
- Support site selection, preparation, and permitting for the pilot systems
- Lead the deployment of pilot unit to the field
- Operate pilot unit at customer sites
- Collect, analyse, and report pilot data to customers and stakeholders
- Troubleshoot operational challenges under real-world conditions
- Contribute to techno-economic analysis and commercial validation
- Represent Eligentis professionally with customers, partners, and investors
About You:
- Technically strong and intellectually curious
- Proactive and able to work independently
- Practical, hands-on, and enjoy building and operating equipment
- Clear and professional in communication
- Excited by international travel and field work
- Adaptable and excited by start-up environments
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Background in chemical engineering, process engineering, or related disciplines
- Experience in process development in chemical industry, water treatment, adsorption, separation technologies, or related fields
- Experience in building, commissioning and operating pilot-scale process equipment
- Experience in HAZOP study, process safety review, risk assessment
- Experience in analysing process data and translating results into process development
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Willingness to travel internationally for pilot deployment and customer trials
Desirable:
- Experience with direct lithium extraction or brine processing
- Experience with field trials
Why join us?
- Lead the scale-up of a new technology at a critical stage
- Work alongside with the founders and industrial leaders
- Training and mentorship opportunities
- Gain broad exposure across technology, engineering, operations, and commercial activities
- Strong growth potential as the company scales
- Making a real-world impact
Compensation & Benefits:
- Salary: £40k-£65k/yr depending on experience
- Employee share option scheme
- 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays
- Pension scheme with a 5% Company contribution
- Location: Oxfordshire, UK (main working site)
- Travel: up to 30% international travel
