Senior Research Engineer, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources in Cockrell School of Engineering Full-time NEW

Senior Research Engineer, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources in Cockrell School of Engineering

Hiring Department: Cockrell School of Engineering

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

The Center for Energy and Environmental Resources (CEER) serves as the central liaison for energy and environmental research, education, and public service at the University of Texas at Austin. It focuses on efficient and economical use of energy and on ensuring a cleaner environment by developing, in cooperation with industry, processes and technologies that minimize waste and conserve natural resources.

The Senior Research Engineer manages an industry-funded research program involving lab and pilot scale separations equipment. The incumbent will conduct research which benefits and enhances the UT Process Science and Technology Center (PSTC), provide service to the separation technology community which reflects positively on the PSTC and the University. The incumbent will also coordinate activities of Technical Staff to maintain high level of operating efficiency.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise technical staff of the pilot plant, including one process engineer, one instrumentation technician, and one mechanical technician
• Develop original proposals to utilize the pilot plant to conduct research on industrial separations including distillation, liquid/liquid extraction, and absorption. Solicit and obtain industrial and government funding for these proposals.
• Develop and Implement research plans on pilot plant. Participate and ensure experimental operations are conducted in a safe manner.
• The PSTC is upgrading their experimental facilities which includes replacing existing equipment with upgraded equipment. Responsibilities will include specifying new equipment, preparing drawings, identifying equipment suppliers and fabricators and procurement of equipment. The incumbent will also be responsible for coordination and scheduling with outside contractors.
• Keep up to date with the latest pilot plant instrumentation and process control technologies. Implement and assist in utilizing the latest technologies to improve plant safety and monitoring. Keep up to date on the latest extraction, distillation and carbon dioxide absorption/stripping technologies.
• Analyze data and prepare reports on research projects
• Prepare proposals, secure funding and equipment donations to enhance pilot plant capabilities.
• Provide support for and supervision of graduate and undergraduate student researchers participating in the PSTC activities.
• Prepare and submit publications to scientific and trade journals, provide technical presentations at conferences
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• MSc degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience
• Experience in lab or pilot scale distillation, and/or other separation processes
• Experience working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities
• Experience interacting with federal and industry project sponsors and stakeholders, and/or other customers
• Experience securing support and funding for research projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in chemical engineering or related field, with a commensurate publication record
• More than seven (7) years of professional experience
• Strong distillation background with some experience in dividing wall distillation, absorption and stripping, liquid extraction, heat transfer, mass transfer, and process equipment design.

Salary Range: $160,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions:

• Will work around standard office conditions
• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment including respirators (furnished)
• Able to work at elevated heights (50 ft)
• May work in all weather conditions including extreme temperatures
• May work around chemicals including chemical fumes
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards

Physical Tasks:

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving weights up to 50lbs

Work Shift:

• Standard work schedule is Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday 7:30-11:30
• Work outside of normal business hours, to include evenings and weekends, may be required on a periodic basis.

Required Materials:

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor