Research Engineer

Key Tasks: Technology and Materials Research In-depth study of automotive catalyst production technology. Researching the functions of individual components of catalytic compositions and their mutual influence. Establishing relationships between:

• composition and properties of raw materials;
• suspension preparation parameters;
• physicochemical characteristics of suspensions;
• catalytic coating application process;
• characteristics and functionality of the finished product.

Formulating and testing research hypotheses. Planning and conducting laboratory experiments, manufacturing prototypes. Processing, analyzing, and interpreting experimental and statistical data. Preparing substantiated conclusions and recommendations for production.

Production Support and New Product Implementation Conducting laboratory research to solve production and technological problems. Participating in the analysis of causes of deviations and instability in technological processes. Supporting the suspension preparation area during the implementation of new materials, products, and technologies. Technological support for the catalytic coating application line during pilot works and new product implementation. Collecting and analyzing data on problems arising during suspension preparation and coating application. Accompanying pilot-scale trials. Evaluating implementation results and preparing proposals for further development. Collection, systematization, and statistical analysis of test results. Preparation and formatting of reports.

External Research and Scientific Interaction, preparation of technical specifications for third-party laboratories Organizing research of raw material samples, intermediate, and finished products. Determining necessary research methods and requirements for conducting analyses. Searching for promising scientific developments, methods, and technical solutions that can be applied at the enterprise.

Development of Technological Knowledge Systematization of knowledge regarding raw materials, product composition, and production processes. Development and updating of technological instructions, research methodologies, and working documents. Preparation of training materials, transferring knowledge to production employees, the laboratory, and other departments.

Expected Work Results During the first year, the specialist will: master the production technology and understand the purpose of the main components of catalytic coatings, forming a holistic understanding of the relationship between raw material properties, suspension preparation/application processes, and product characteristics; participate in the manufacturing of prototypes and the implementation of new products or technological solutions; prepare practically applicable recommendations for identified production problems; begin forming a systemic knowledge base on products, materials, and processes; establish effective interaction with production, the laboratory, and external research organizations.

Requirements

Higher education in chemistry, chemical technology, materials science, or another related field. Deep understanding of chemical and physicochemical processes. Good knowledge in several of the following areas: physical chemistry; inorganic chemistry; surface chemistry (colloid chemistry); heterogeneous catalysis; chemical kinetics; rheology of dispersed systems; chemistry and technology of inorganic materials. Experience in independent research work. Ability to complete a full research cycle: from posing a question and formulating a hypothesis to conducting an experiment, analyzing results, and preparing practical recommendations. Skills in experiment planning and processing obtained data. Ability to establish cause-and-effect relationships between composition, process parameters, and product properties. Ability to work with scientific, patent, and technical information. Readiness to personally conduct laboratory experiments, manufacture prototypes, and participate in production trials. Ability to clearly format research results in the form of reports, instructions, and presentation materials. Initiative and the ability to organize one's work independently. Orientation toward practical results and readiness to bring research to production application. English language at a level sufficient for reading scientific publications and technical documentation.

Will be an advantage

• Experience in the field of heterogeneous catalysis or automotive catalysts.
• Experience working with suspensions, coatings, powder materials, sorbents, ceramics.
• Understanding of dispersion, suspension stabilization, coating application, drying, and calcination processes.
• Experience working with materials containing platinum group metals.
• Experience transferring developments from laboratory conditions to industrial production.
• Experience in prototype manufacturing and conducting pilot-scale trials.
• Proficiency in Design of Experiments (DOE) methods and statistical data processing.
• Experience working with modern physicochemical methods of material research.
• Experience interacting with scientific organizations and third-party laboratories.
• Experience participating in product or technological process validation.
• An advanced degree or experience in R&D will be an advantage, but is not a mandatory requirement.

Personal Qualities

• Curiosity.
• Independence.
• Initiative.
• Critical thinking and intellectual honesty when evaluating results.
• Perseverance in solving complex and uncertain tasks.
• Ability to combine a scientific approach with the needs of real production.

Higher education — Specialist degree, Master's degree; Experience: 1 year

Conditions

Optimal