Senior Specialist Purification / Technical Project Leader – Avantium – Amsterdam

Avantium is a pioneer in the emerging industry of renewable and sustainable chemistry. We seek to take part in the opportunities of the transition towards a circular econo­my to create value for our stakeholders and society as a whole. Avantium’s mission is to aid the transition to a fossil-free world by developing ground-breaking products based on re­newable feedstock instead of fossil resources. Sustainable alterna­tives for fossil-based chemicals and materials include plastic bot­tles for drinks, films for food packaging and electronics, fibres for textiles and even material used in toys.

Our Avantium Renewable Polymers Business Unit (RNP) develops and commercialises our proprietary plants-to-plastics YXY® Technology, With this technology Avantium converts sugars from plants into FDCA (furan dicarboxylic acid) – the main building block of the high-performance, fully recyclable and degradable plastic PEF (polyethylene furanoate). We have fully proven the technology in our pilot plant in Geleen and we are now constructing the world’s first commercial FDCA plant in Delfzijl.

In the RNP Technology and Innovation Department we currently have a vacancy in the Monomer Development Team for a Sr. Specialist Purification/Technical Project Lead. The Monomer Development Team is responsible for developing and optimizing our FDCA-technology in line with the Technology Roadmap to enable our industrial scale up and licensing business.

Responsibilities

The Sr. Specialist Purification / Technical Project Leader is a key player in the next phase of the Renewable Polymer’s journey. The Specialist Purification will lead research and development projects in the field of FDCA monomer purification at laboratory scale. The Specialist Purification will work in close collaboration with process engineers, oxidation and catalysis specialists, technologists both in the lab and at the pilot plant. Third party collaborations are part of the scope of this role.

We are looking for a pro-active, communicative, innovation minded colleague who will take up the responsibilities to: 

Lead technical projects and teams in the field of purification ensuring milestones, time and budget goals are met

Lead and manage the purification competence with expertise and knowledge in this field

Report, communicate progress, and manage internal and external stakeholders and projects from initiation to completion

Support effective knowledge management

Support generation of IP for a licensing business

Screen and scout for new technologies and developments and incorporate as appropriate in the Technology Roadmap

Develop and maintain external network in the field.

Maintain required safety protocols to ensure compliance with all safety standards.

Mentor junior scientists / technologists to improve their technical skills.

What do you bring?

In order to be successful as a Specialist Purification, thorough understanding of downstream processing science and technology (catalysis, crystallization, solids handling, evaporation, maximize yield and recovery etc) and industrial experience in R&D and innovation is essential. For the technical project leader role, strong communication and team building skills are a big advantage.

You also have;

A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or similar

At least 10 years working experience in R&D, preferably in an industrial setting Experimental experience in separation and purification units is preferable.

Experience in Design of Experiments, data analysis and statistical tools.

Able to perform well in a fast-paced and challenging environment

Meticulous, detail-oriented, well-structured

Excellent problem solving, critical thinking and driving innovation

Team player with a coaching and growth mindset, flexible

Strong communication skills

What we offer?

As we are a small company, we also offer you a unique chance to learn a lot about many fields, not only science, but also business and management, leading people and operations, market strategies, quality and last but not least safety. Learning paths can be steep and we do not offer you predefined career paths and development tracks. You are in the lead of your career, what you bring to the table will be noticed and taking initiative is rewarded and recognized. We have an informal culture, a flat organization and we recognize and celebrate the many cultures that we represent. And on top of that we offer good primary and secondary benefits.

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