Process Development Engineer â KTP Associate (fixed term) (ENG291519)

This is an exciting opportunity for a technically focused, commercially minded Chemical or Process Engineer who enjoys pushing boundaries and is familiar with high temperature processes. Our diverse team, working in partnership with Torftech R & D Ltd., is developing an entirely new, exciting and unique platform processor system combining microwave energy with TORBED technology. This could have unrivalled capabilities and potential applications in minerals processing, steelmaking, nuclear, food processing, catalysis, waste processing and energy.

A practically minded person who enjoys both design and implementation, you will be working on the design and scale up of a platform technology to address the challenges of high temperature processing using microwaves.  While these processes show significant promise at lab scale few, if any, practical applications of microwave technology exist at temperatures higher than 200°C. Successful development of this new technology will enable enhanced precision and de-coupling of process gas and materials temperatures, opening a range of opportunities. As this is on the cutting edge of technical development you will be curious, quick to learn and technically adept.  

Your salary will be supplemented with a £5,500 dedicated training budget tailored towards your personal development, and there is also the potential for a significant performance bonus. This post is jointly advertised in collaboration with our industrial partner, Torftech and will predominantly be based at their site in Thatcham, Berkshire.  Whilst the early stages of the work are experimental and developmental, the aim is to develop and commercialise the concept. This will involve both pilot and industrial scale demonstration across many industries and working with a wide range of end users.

Torftech is a design engineering firm that supplies its patented TORBED processors to household name clients across a range of process industries. Unique to Torftech, these processors offer accuracy and flexibility within a compact footprint and as such, offer elegant solutions to complex process problems. The company sees the addition of microwave power delivery capabilities as an exciting extension to an already-powerful and capable technology.

This position forms part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by Innovate UK. As the successful candidate, you will learn how KTP works with business and the University, and the vital role you will play.

The Torftech team is small, committed to innovation and quality and offers a friendly, technically challenging working environment. Current sales are global, so a willingness to travel and an interest in other peoples and cultures are essential, as are an ability to work in a team, pro-activity and a sound analytical approach to problem solving.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of 34 months on a full time basis.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Chris Dodds, tel: 0115 951 4172 or email: chris.dodds@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email addresses will not be accepted. Further information about our work is available at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mpe

Closing Date: 22 Aug 2019
Category: Research and Teaching (R&T)