Chemical Processing Research Director - FIPR

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JOB TITLE

   

Chemical Processing Research Director - FIPR

   

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

   

The Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research (FIPR) Institute at Florida Polytechnic University invites applications and nominations for a Chemical Processing Research Director position. The Chemical Processing Research Director will report to FIPR Institute’s Senior Director of Research and will take the lead in research and development projects with a focus on process water treatment and/or utilization of phosphogypsum in relation to phosphate processing and fertilizer production. Research projects will be both internally funded and defined projects and externally funded projects where the Principal Scientist plays a critical role in securing the project and funding. He or she will also collaborate with environmental engineering faculty in research grants application and conducting research projects. Candidates for the position are preferred to hold a Ph.D degree in in the fields of chemical engineering, mineral processing, environmental engineering, or physical sciences, with eight or more years’ experience relevant to the phosphate industry and/or water quality.

   

JOB DESCRIPTION

   

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify R&D needs related to the phosphate industry and Florida Poly’s environmental programs and develop initiatives to address those needs.

• Collaborate with phosphate industry partners and Florida Poly faculty to define and execute research programs.

• Prepare and submit grant proposals for federal and industrial funding opportunities.

• Conduct research on the treatment of acidic wastewater and the beneficial use of phosphogypsum.

• Prepare research reports and technical papers for publication.

• Supervise research staff and manage project deliverables.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working, in-depth knowledge of some of the following topics: inorganic chemistry, chemical engineering unit operations, chemical engineering modeling experience (for instance with ASPEN), thermodynamics, phosphoric acid manufacturing and fertilizer production, waste utilization, and separation technologies.

• Capable of independent research data interpretation and analysis, research program design, and experimental skills appropriate to their expertise in research.  Of particular interest are separation technologies including S-L separation, solvent extraction and ion exchange, waste recovery and reuse, application of membrane and nanotechnology in water treatment and materials separation, development of processing flowsheets for comprehensive recovery of valuable elements from wastes and byproducts.

• Strong communication skills, particularly writing skills for research grant applications and technical papers. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in the fields of chemical engineering, mineral processing, environmental engineering, a closely related field, or an Master's degree in the physical sciences and five or more years’ experience relevant to the phosphate industry and/or water quality.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. degree in the field