Senior Scientist / Engineer: Fuel Cell Catalyst R&D at Mintek

About the position

Introduction
The incumbent will form part of a team developing PGM electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell and electrolyser applications. Extensive experience in fuel cell electrocatalyst development as well as MEA fabrication is a requirement. Knowledge of electrochemistry, electrochemical processes technology, precious metals heterogeneous catalysis, or electrocatalyst preparation will be an advantage.
Duties & Responsibilities
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Develop electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell applications.
• Conduct electrochemical & physicochemical analyses of electrocatalysts.
• Contribute to PEM electrocatalyst research within team.
• Undertake pilot production of electrocatalyst products.
• Develop electrocatalysts with a view towards improving key performance and durability metrics.
• Prepare MEAs with in-house manufactured and other commercially available catalysts via a range offabrication techniques.
• Oversee research to develop new state-of-the-art electrocatalysts & production methods for high volume catalyst production.
• Evaluate MEAs within single cells and stacks via a number of industry standard protocols.
• Regularly prepare intellectual property declarations for submission to NIPMO.
• Actively drive the technology transfer of HySA fuel cell products for commercialisation with HySA commercial partners.
• Identify opportunities for technology development and commercialisation.
• Keep up-to-date at a professional level with technology and business developments that are relevant to the division's interests.
• Strong technical report writing abilities.
• Actively participate in the training, guidance and motivation of junior staff. Participate in team debates and technical decisions.
• Produce professional reports, papers and presentations at local and international conferences.
• Ensure that projects are executed on time and within budget.
• Develop annual fuel cell catalyst manufacturing scale-up plans aligned to long term organisational plan and contribute to implementation of organisational strategy.
• Identify resources, i.e. capital, facilities and equipment's, etc. between functions (fuel cell catalyst, membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), stacks and fuel cell systems) and business areas.
• Design operational structure aligned to the business and divisional work plan.
• Ensure that SHEQ procedures are strictly adhered to and that project work is executed with maximum overall technical efficiency.
• Demonstrate through behaviour the values and vision of Mintek.

Desired Experience & Qualification
JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years' experience in fuel cell catalyst R&D space
• Demonstrable extensive knowledge and understanding of fuel cell electrochemistry and electrochemical techniques.
• Heterogeneous catalyst preparation and scale up
• MEA fabrication methods
• MEA testing methods
• Knowledge or experience with SHEQ systems
• Must be computer literate

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum: MSc Chemistry or Chemical engineering with 3 years fuel cell industry experience
• Ideally: PhD Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Be able to work in a team
• Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills
• Attention to detail, ability to follow up and take initiative