Scientist (Hydrometallurgy)

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

• Grow knowledge and expertise in the field of hydrometallurgy.
• Contribute independently to projects within program, applying knowledge and expertise.
• Align with project managers in CRD and BU.
• Innovate and generate ideas within the field of hydrometallurgy.
• Consult existing internal and external network within the core competence subdomain. This network includes RTOs, technology providers and suppliers
• Keep track of patent literature in the relevant field.
• Contribute to FTO study and patent filing in collaboration with BU and the IP department.
• Safeguard proper confidentiality guidelines across the projects
• Prepare funding files in collaboration with the project/program manager and the government affairs department.
• Manage the hydrometallurgy lab in Shanghai and functionally manage of reports 
• Implement and control CRD safety rules and quality procedures.

Who we are looking for

• PhD in Sciences or Engineering, or equivalent through relevant research experience
• More than 8 years of relevant research experience in the field of hydrometallurgy. Leaching and solvent extraction experience are a clear asset.

• Experience in leading a chemical lab.
• Insight in relevant technical and business field
• Understanding of IP mechanics, funding, R&D contracting and confidentiality matters
• Languages: Fluent in both Chinese and English. French, German, Korean or Dutch are a clear asset
• Good internal & external networking skills.
• Customer intimacy skills to understand business unit strategy and priorities relevant to the projects.
• Leadership skills to guide teams towards successful execution of their projects.
• Creativity in science and technology.
• Target oriented
• Planning and organization skills