Computational Scientist in London

Rivan Industries (Rivan.com) is a synthetic fuel company designed to decarbonise heavy industry. We aim to make synthetic fuel cheaper than fossil fuels and sustain life on earth by keeping the CO2 locked underground. We have designed and manufactured modular synthetic fuel plants consisting of a DAC system, an Alkaline Electrolyser, and a Sabatier Reactor, vertically integrating with off‐grid DC solar and the European gas‐grid. We have recently deployed the UK’s largest synthetic fuel plant and are planning to 1000x this scale in the next 2 years.

We are looking for a computational scientist to build models and simulations on top of our operational data to direct where we spend our next resources. We need a curious mind that wants to find every integration pinch point, performance ceiling, and fragile operation before it becomes an issue.

The role:

• Develop and refine process models for Rivan's lime‐based Direct Air Capture (DAC) process, integrating thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport phenomena.
• Perform first‐principles heat and mass transfer calculations, dynamic process simulations, and optimisation studies.
• Work cross‐functionally with experimental and design teams to validate models against empirical data, refine process understanding, and inform plant operation and scale‐up.
• Build and maintain modular simulation tools (e.g. MATLAB, Aspen Plus, COMSOL, or custom Python models) to support techno‐economic and performance assessments.

Core skills:

• 3–7 years experience in process modelling, computational science or chemical/process engineering R&D.
• Bachelor's/Master's in Chemical Engineering, Process Systems Engineering or related field (PhD advantageous).
• Proven experience with MATLAB, Aspen Plus/HYSYS, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent, or Python.
• Strong background in heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and first‐principles modelling (PDEs, reaction kinetics, etc.).
• Experience in model validation with lab or pilot data; understanding of solid–gas systems (calcination, hydration, carbonation); and past demonstration of system optimisation preferred.

Specifics & Benefits:

• £70–80k salary depending on experience.
• Significant share options as part of the early team.
• In‐person work at our HQ in Bermondsey, South‐East London.
• Extensive relocation support, including £6,000 per year extra to live close to our HQ.

Languages: ENGLISH – Level Excellent.

Eligibility criteria:

• 3–7 years experience in process modelling, computational science or chemical/process engineering R&D.
• Bachelor's/Master's in Chemical Engineering, Process Systems Engineering or related field (PhD advantageous).
• Proven experience with MATLAB, Aspen Plus/HYSYS, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent or Python.
• Strong background in heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and first‐principles modelling (PDEs, reaction kinetics, etc.).
• Experience in model validation with lab or pilot data; understanding of solid–gas systems (calcination, hydration, carbonation); and past demonstration of system optimisation preferred.

Selection process: Written application online, asynchronous questions, interviews, in‐person task.