POSITION FILLED 13 JULY 2021
Job Description:
Research by British Lithium Limited are looking to appoint an experienced inorganic chemical engineer to lead the further development of our novel processes for the pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recovery of lithium from mica concentrates in Cornwall.The company’s activities cover fundamental research, process design and engineering, development and patenting of innovative technologies through to commissioning and operation at a variety of scales. The company was the first to drill for lithium in the UK and the first to produce lithium from the abundant granites occurring in Cornwall and Devon, has built the country’s only fully equipped lithium process laboratory and is soon to commence construction of a £3 million pilot plant. Research by British Lithium is at the forefront of providing the battery grade materials required for a low carbon future. Join us in perfecting and implementing ground-breaking technology in this exciting growth industry.Research by British Lithium is at the forefront of providing the battery grade materials required for a low carbon future. Join us in perfecting and implementing ground breaking technology in this exciting growth industry.Detailed role description:
We are looking for a highly skilled inorganic chemical engineer with experience of a wide range of practical techniques. The position will require you to apply your scientific understanding and practical skills to further developing our innovative technologies for production of battery-grade lithium chemicals. This will involve further testwork optimisation in our fully equipped laboratory, and design input to our new pilot plant, and ultimately to development and commissioning at full plant scale.Requirements of the role:
- A PhD or MSc in inorganic chemistry and significant project management experience
- experience with hands-on laboratory testwork in the design and operation of hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy processes (calcination, leaching, precipitation, crystallisation, ion exchange etc) at laboratory and ideal at pilot and industrial scale
- Substantial (7-15 years) Research experience in either industry or consultancy organisations in the chemical, metallurgical industry or other related industries
- Experience applying for and administering patents, and grant funding applications and administration
- Ability to interpret large and complex metallurgical datasets and translating this to process improvements
- General awareness of the battery minerals market and emerging trends/requirements
- Good report writing, organisational and time management skills
- Good general computer literacy (all Microsoft packages), METSIM, CHEMSIM etc
- Confident and capable leading a small highly competent technical team
- Ability and willingness to train junior metallurgical staff
- Previous experience working with lithium compounds would be an advantage
- The right to live and work in the UKKey Responsibilities:
Managing and working with the company’s laboratory team and metallurgical laboratory contractors and driving metallurgical testwork campaignsFurther laboratory testwork and refinement of our pyro and hydrometallurgical processes for extraction of lithium from mica concentratesDriving best practice for reduction of environmental impacts of the processWorking with Hatch Engineers and leading the project team on flowsheet optimisationAiding the engineering aspects of the pilot plant design and ongoing modification and improvementsParticipating in risk assessments and development of safe operating proceduresOperation at pilot scale and collection of key process design data for the proposed full scale developmentAssisting with the design and procurement of key process equipmentProviding key inputs to a Definitive Feasibility StudySalary and Location:
The salary is negotiable, depending on experience, and it will be based at the Company’s offices and laboratory at Roche, near St Austell, Cornwall. Working hours are typically 37.5 hours per week, but there may be a need for flexible and out of hours working. The successful applicant will be invited to participate in the Company’s tax efficient share incentive scheme.
Applications:
Please send your application including a detailed CV direct to Roderick Smith, Chairman, Research by British Lithium Limited at rsmith@britishlithium.co.uk