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

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Engineer manages an industry-funded research program involving laboratory- and pilot-scale separations equipment at the Process Science and Technology Center (PSTC). The role conducts research that benefits and enhances the PSTC and provides service to the separation technology community in a manner that reflects positively on the PSTC and The University of Texas at Austin. The engineer coordinates technical staff activities to maintain efficient operations.

The position develops and implements research plans and proposals on industrial separation processes, including distillation, liquid/liquid extraction, and absorption, and seeks industrial and government funding. The PSTC is upgrading its experimental facilities; the role will specify new equipment, prepare drawings, identify suppliers and fabricators, procure equipment, and coordinate schedules with outside contractors. The engineer also keeps current with pilot-plant instrumentation, process-control, extraction, distillation, and carbon dioxide absorption/stripping technologies, and implements or supports technologies that improve plant safety and monitoring.

Additional work includes analyzing research data, preparing reports and proposals, securing funding and equipment donations, supporting and supervising graduate and undergraduate researchers, and preparing publications and technical conference presentations. The role supervises pilot-plant technical staff, including a process engineer, instrumentation technician, and mechanical technician.

The position is based at the J. J. Pickle Research Campus. Work is around standard office conditions and may also involve personal protective equipment, elevated heights, all weather conditions including extreme temperatures, chemicals and fumes, and electrical or mechanical hazards. Physical tasks include repetitive keyboard use, manual dexterity, climbing stairs and ladders, and lifting or moving weights up to 50 pounds. The standard schedule is Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; periodic work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field; relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Minimum of seven years of professional experience; relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Experience with laboratory- 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.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in chemical engineering or a related field, with a commensurate publication record.
• More than seven 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.

Responsibilities

• Supervise pilot-plant technical staff, including a process engineer, instrumentation technician, and mechanical technician.
• Develop original proposals to use the pilot plant for industrial separations research, including distillation, liquid/liquid extraction, and absorption, and solicit and obtain industrial and government funding.
• Develop and implement pilot-plant research plans.
• Participate in and ensure safe experimental operations.
• Specify new equipment, prepare drawings, identify suppliers and fabricators, procure equipment, and coordinate and schedule outside contractors for experimental facility upgrades.
• Keep current with pilot-plant instrumentation and process-control technologies and implement or assist with technologies to improve plant safety and monitoring.
• Keep current with extraction, distillation, and carbon dioxide absorption/stripping technologies.
• Analyze research data and prepare project reports.
• Prepare proposals and secure funding and equipment donations to enhance pilot-plant capabilities.
• Support and supervise graduate and undergraduate student researchers participating in PSTC activities.
• Prepare and submit publications to scientific and trade journals and give technical presentations at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits, with employee premiums covered at 100% and family premiums at 50%.
• Voluntary vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options.
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas defined-benefit retirement plan with 7.75% employer matching funds.
• Additional voluntary retirement programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and Deferred Compensation 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
• Free LinkedIn Learning training access and professional conference opportunities.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee discount program, including athletic tickets.
• Free access to UT Austin libraries and museums with staff ID card.
• Free rides on UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior