Senior Membrane Application Scientist

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Membrane Application Scientist with strong membrane chemistry expertise, analytical capability, and hands-on pilot-scale testing experience.

This role focuses on evaluating and developing an advanced membrane technology platform, helping the business understand performance boundaries, technical advantages, and potential applications across customer and industrial process streams.

The successful candidate will be a strong chemist with a practical approach to membrane testing, fluid handling systems, and small to medium-sized pilot plants. They will be comfortable designing experiments, interpreting complex datasets, troubleshooting process challenges, and translating findings into clear technical recommendations.

Working closely with Innovation, Engineering, Commercial, and customer teams, the successful candidate will support laboratory trials, pilot testing, customer demonstrations, commissioning activities, and technical reporting. The role will involve international travel to support customer trials and represent the business at customer sites globally.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Membrane Chemistry & Analytical Testing

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• Design and execute laboratory and pilot-scale test programmes to assess membrane performance across a range of feed streams and operating conditions.
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• Apply strong chemical understanding to investigate membrane selectivity, fouling, cleaning behaviour, stability, and operating limits.
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• Develop and utilise appropriate analytical methods to understand feed chemistry, permeate quality, concentration effects, and overall process performance.
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• Analyse experimental data to identify performance trends, limitations, benefits, and opportunities for improvement.
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• Prepare clear technical conclusions and recommendations based on test results and chemical analysis.
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Product Testing & Application Development

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• Support the development and validation of the company's advanced membrane technology platform through structured testing and application studies.
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• Help define the capabilities, benefits, and potential applications of the technology across water treatment, industrial separations, resource recovery, and related markets.
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• Design experiments to compare product performance under realistic customer operating conditions.
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• Identify new use cases and application opportunities where the technology can deliver value.
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• Work closely with Innovation, Engineering, and Commercial teams to translate customer requirements into practical test plans and technical development activities.
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Pilot Trials & Customer Support

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• Support laboratory, pilot, and field trials at company and customer sites, including international locations.
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• Assist with the setup, operation, troubleshooting, and commissioning of small to medium-sized membrane pilot systems.
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• Work practically and safely with pumps, pipework, tanks, instrumentation, sampling systems, and membrane test rigs.
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• Support customer trials through planning, data collection, result interpretation, and progress communication.
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• Provide technical support during pilot campaigns, including troubleshooting process issues and recommending operational improvements.
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• Capture customer feedback and trial learnings to support product development, application guidance, and future commercial opportunities.
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Project Management & Technical Communication

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• Independently manage assigned projects, test programmes, and customer trial activities with clear priorities, milestones, and timescales.
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• Coordinate activities across internal teams and external partners to ensure projects are delivered safely and effectively.
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• Prepare high-quality technical reports, customer summaries, presentations, and application notes.
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• Present technical information confidently to customers, partners, and internal stakeholders.
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• Support customer-facing meetings, product demonstrations, and technical discussions as a credible membrane technology specialist.
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• Maintain regular reporting to management on progress, risks, results, and recommendations.
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Documentation & Compliance

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• Maintain detailed records of experimental methods, raw data, analysis, conclusions, and project decisions.
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• Ensure all testing and pilot activities are completed in line with company health and safety requirements and relevant site procedures.
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• Support the creation of standard test methods, operating procedures, technical datasheets, and customer documentation.
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• Use company systems to manage workload, record activity, and communicate project status.
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Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate will possess the following skills, behaviours, and experience:

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• BSc, MSc, or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Membrane Science, or a related scientific discipline.
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• Strong chemistry background with excellent analytical and practical problem-solving skills.
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• Experience with membrane separation technologies, water treatment, industrial process chemistry, or related separation processes.
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• Hands-on experience designing, running, and interpreting laboratory or pilot-scale experiments.
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• Practical experience working with process equipment, pilot plants, pumps, pipework, instrumentation, and sampling systems.
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• Ability to analyse complex technical data and translate findings into clear conclusions and recommendations.
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• Strong technical report writing, documentation, and presentation skills.
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• Confident communicating technical information to customers, partners, and internal stakeholders.
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• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced R&D and customer-facing environment.
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• Good understanding of health and safety requirements within laboratory, pilot, and customer-site settings.
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• Willingness to travel internationally to support customer trials, pilot installations, and commissioning activities.
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• Collaborative, flexible, and practical mindset, with the ability to work effectively across Innovation, Engineering, Commercial, and customer-facing teams.
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