Principal Research Scientist, Process Engineering and Safety, PSG, PE&SD, ISCE2

Purpose of Job

A research scientist is needed to work on several low carbon process development/safety projects involving monitoring, troubleshooting and optimizing processes or experimental rigs that handle toxic and/or flammable gasses (e.g. ammonia, hydrogen) at pilot-scale leading up to a technology transfer. Candidates for this position are expected to be able to coordinate and supervise senior research engineers and junior scientists across the assigned research projects with time and project management skills to deliver results under tight timelines.

This research scientist needs to develop detailed ammonia-hydrogen facility/process designs and parametric studies for HAZOP, FMEA and QRA. These assessments will form the basis for the identification of critical scenarios needed to model and simulate toxic dispersion, fire and deflagration/detonation. Apart from the ability to apply common PHA tools, the work will entail R&D into the use of generative AI and machine learning to assist and accelerate process design and safety/risk assessments.

ISCE2 is looking for a highly self-driven and meticulous individual who has the strong ability to multi-task and a potential for scientific/technical leadership. The candidate should have a good research and process industry experience that provides them with an understanding and knowledge of the underlying key process/chemical engineering and scientific principles of low carbon technologies and process safety.

Key Accountabilities

1. Responsible for providing scientific and technical direction, development, design, and scale up of process safety technologies.
2. Responsible for developing new projects, including timelines, milestones, methodological approaches, expected results and necessary resources.
3. Responsible for the executing or planning/directing of laboratory-based or pilot-based experiments to support process development, scale-up campaigns and process optimisation leading up to technology transfer.
4. Lead or support multi-disciplinary team of scientist and engineers through technical challenges and contribute to the successful completion of projects
5. Supervise, coordinate and mentor junior research scientists and engineers
6. Engage with various industry/academic collaborators and external stakeholders (e.g. public agencies). Presentation and sharing of knowledge regularly i.e. communicate effectively (written and orally) on project findings and status to internal and external stakeholders.
7. Results documentation, writing and review of technical reports, scientific journal publications, patents etc.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Doctorate in Chemical Engineering or other related engineering fields.
• At least 5 years' experience in the chemical process industry involved in process operations and R&D. R&D experience in academia including research institutes will be advantageous. Working experience in a chemical production facility and familiarity with regulations, codes and industry best practices would be a bonus.
• Practical/industry experience with Process Safety, Fire/Explosion Hazard and Risk Assessment is important.
• Working knowledge on various process technologies, scale-up & scale-down and process intensification methodologies or principles.
• Has good working experience with relevant computer aided engineering tools including simulation (eg. Aspen Plus, AVEVA, Gproms etc.), safety modelling software (Phast/Safeti etc) graph database software (e.g., Neo4J) and the use of detailed process models to support process design, scale-up and process optimisation during operations.
• Experience with programming languages (e.g. Python, Matlab) and Generative-AI, Large Language Models is advantageous.
• Possess technical leadership quality to lead team and/or supervise junior engineers
• Possess strong interpersonal, oral and written communication and organization skills
• Self-driven and meticulous individual who has the strong ability to multi-task and has good time management skills to deliver results under tight timelines
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for the timely documentation, presentation, and discussion of results in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary, team-based environment
• Willingness to learn new skills, self-motivated, able to work under pressure with minimal supervision and with a general high sensitivity to safety

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.