Technology Advancement & Commercialization (TAC) provides scientific and engineering solutions for challenging problems existing in the fields of health, environment, and energy.

In TAC, applied research and development, along with prototyping and scale-up activities, are concentrated in numerous research and application labs, as well as in a pilot plant facility located on RTI's main campus in Research Triangle Park, NC.

The Technology and Commercialization Division (TAC) at RTI International is seeking a talented Research Chemical Engineer or Chemist to become an integral part of a dynamic team developing novel and innovative processes for carbon capture and conversion applications.

You will become part of an experienced team to support the development and advancement of several existing carbon capture and utilization technologies. The technology areas currently include lab- and bench- scale CO2 capture, lab- and bench-scale CO2 conversion, solvent process optimization, sorbent process design, membrane design for gas separations, and catalytic processes, both heterogeneous and homogeneous.

You will be involved in and expected to contribute to:

• The measurement of physical and thermodynamic properties of CO2 capture materials


• Conducting kinetic experiments to measure rates of CO2 uptake by various capture materials


• Performing spectroscopic characterization of reaction species involved in CO2 capture


• The development of innovative solutions to carbon capture, gas separations, and CO2 conversion problems


• Maintaining lab space and ordering supplies for a larger team


• Processing data for input into modeling software

Our R&D efforts typically span different scales of technology development ranging from concept through to bench and prototype-scale development, and in some cases pre-commercial demonstration, and therefore, the successful candidate must be confident in contributing at various scales.

Ideally, you will have 3 or more years of experience in the development and process design of CO2 capture or conversion processes and be capable of contributing to the management, commissioning, operation and analysis of lab and pilot scale process units. In addition, you are familiar with and be able to contribute to topic areas outside of CO2 capture, such as development of catalytic processes for synthesis of fuels and chemicals, and other gas separations and processing.

You must be able to effectively communicate complicated concepts and data in a clear and concise manner both orally and written. In addition, the individual must be able to formulate and execute research and test plans. A commitment to excellence and safety is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Assist project management by leading project tasks


• On specific tasks, lead laboratory-based development and evaluation efforts by developing, formulating, and implementing test plans, analyzing and interpreting data, leading engineers on testing and writing reports


• Contribute to the design and management of laboratory- to pilot scale systems


• Be a key member of the commissioning and troubleshooting teams of laboratory- to pilot scale systems


• Will assist with and potentially lead techno-economic assessments of the conceptual process incorporating laboratory data


• Work and interact effectively with a variety of staff (i.e. engineers/chemists responsible for technology development; technicians responsible for systems operations and support; and business managers responsible for technology demonstration)


• Interact with collaborators and clients and to write/contribute to proposals and reports.


• Develop and lead internal research and development projects

The anticipated pay range for this role is between $90,000.00 and $130,000.00.

RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for mothers and fathers, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry or relevant engineering discipline with related experience


• 3 or more years of relevant hands-on lab/pilot experience in research at the graduate academic level or in an industrial setting


• Demonstrated experience with process design and gas handling


• Demonstrated background in chemical engineering fundamentals including heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, fluidized-bed processes


• Demonstrated knowledge of chemistry with a focus on catalyst/sorbent materials characterization and/or testing techniques would be an asset.


• Demonstrated experience with analytical equipment operation and development/implementation of data acquisition and process control programs


• Demonstrated experience using modeling software including process simulations (AspenPlus, Promax, etc.) would be an asset.


• Strong analytical and creative problem solving skills and be able to perform high quality, independent work in a timely manner with minimum supervision


• Strong oral and written communication skills, well-developed interpersonal skills and team orientation


• Experience in project management of CCU projects is preferred. Experience with economic evaluation of processes is preferred.

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