Established in 2010, the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) is a pan-university research institute that focuses on systems-level research for tropical megacities. It performs translational research that covers the energy value chain from generation to innovative end-use solutions, motivated by industrialisation and deployment. ERI@N has multiple Interdisciplinary Research Programmes which focus on translational Research, Development & Deployment which focus on specific area of the energy value chain, and a number of Living labs and Testbeds which facilitate large scale technology deployment enabling validation and demonstration of real-world applications.
We are looking for a Research Engineer to work on vanadium redox flow battery related materials development, with a primary focus on extracting vanadium from petroleum coke (petcoke) and scaling the process from lab to pilot scale. This role combines hands-on experimental work with process design and scale-up, and will play a key role in establishing a pilot line for vanadium recovery.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and optimize processes for extracting vanadium from petcoke and petcoke cinder using hydrometallurgical routes such as leaching, purification, and precipitation.
Conduct laboratory-scale experiments to study extraction efficiency, impurity removal, yield, and reproducibility.
Convert laboratory processes into pilot-scale flowsheets, including mass and energy balance calculations.
Design, set up, and operate pilot-scale equipment for vanadium extraction and powder production.
Characterize extracted vanadium products using chemical and materials analysis techniques.
Evaluate process economics, reagent consumption, waste streams, and opportunities for process improvement.
Prepare technical reports, SOPs, and scale-up documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
Collaborate with battery, electrolyte, and stack development teams to ensure extracted vanadium meets VRFB requirements.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements during lab and pilot operations.
Job Requirements:
Bachelor’s /Master’s degree in chemical engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
Hands-on experience with hydrometallurgical processes, especially metal extraction from solid residues or waste materials.
Experience in laboratory experimentation and pilot-scale process development.
Strong understanding of acid and alkaline leaching, solid–liquid separation, and purification techniques.
Ability to independently plan experiments, analyze data, and troubleshoot process issues.
Experience working with vanadium, nickel, or other transition metal extraction processes.
Exposure to pilot plant design, commissioning, or operation.
Knowledge of analytical techniques such as ICP, titration, XRD, or SEM.
Familiarity with vanadium redox flow batteries or energy storage materials is an advantage.
We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Hiring Institution: NTU