AEM Test Lab Scientist

About Umicore

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Giving new life to used metals. Powering the cars of the future. As a global materials and technology group, we pioneer approaches to sustainability that continue to offer customers materials and solutions that are essential to everyday life. We aim to be a clear world leader in materials for clean mobility and recycling and have turned our sustainability approach into an even greater competitive advantage.  To achieve this, however, we know we can’t stand still.  We know we need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. It’s why we invest so much in research & development. It’s why we push ourselves to tackle increasingly complex challenges. It’s why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed. It’s why we are looking for talented individuals to shape tomorrow by leading the way today. In an environment like this, imagine what you could do?

About Business / Department

Corporate R&D

Driving progress through research. Providing material solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges and anticipating the needs of our customers requires a high level of investment in research. Umicore’s Group Research capabilities focus on new materials and processes to address the megatrends of resource scarcity and clean mobility. The nature of research and development means that we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

What you will be doing

1)  Laboratory operation management:

• Technical key domains: Sample preparation, testing and characterization

• Lab operation management ensuring high availability and utilization of the available resources (work planning, maintenance coordination, etc.)

• Local data management system operation and administration – ensuring measurement data is available globally

2)  Project work & management:

• Lab and Development project execution including planning, execution & reporting
• Active role in local & global Applied Technology and customer project to improve the global test capabilities, technology data base, etc. for supporting the technology and business development

3)  Innovation:

• Continuous improvement of existing processes + development/integration of new testing and sample characterization methods in collaboration w/ global colleagues
• Selection and integration of new equipment, etc.

4)  Communication w/ internal and external stakeholders & partners

• Global AT organization à collaboration w/ other test centers and other departments
• Local CRD hub organization à required communication within the local organization (administrative representative for the laboratory); supporting the local business development manager as technical expert in the communication with partners and customer
• External partners à collaboration w/ universities and other development partners

5)  Quality Management + EHS:

• Filing and updating required QM documentations for the lab management and operation according to the IATF 16949 requirements + Umicore standards
• Responsibility for the laboratory safety and safe working environment – lab infrastructure, lab equipment, working places, etc.
• Data management system maintenance + upgrades
• Laboratory waste management and PGM safety/recovery

Who we are looking for

• University Master Degree (or ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering, Material Science or Electrochemistry
• min 2-3 years of experience in lab operation and management, preferably in Fuel Cell, Electrolysis, Battery industry or academia- in best case the candidate has already started up a lab
• Deep technical know-how in Electrochemistry, Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, MEA design and testing, test station operation and maintenance preferably in the field of AEM, etc.
• Language skills: bilingual, Chinese + English (fluent)

• high social competences and team player

• high level of proactivity and organizing skills 

• result oriented working style

• intercultural competence

• Problem solving skills for complex patterns and problems

• Learning eagerness and mindset enabling continuous improvement

• Willingness for international travels