Research manager in the field of circular hydrometallurgy

Research manager in the field of circular hydrometallurgy

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

The SOLVOMET group in the Department of Chemistry, Science, Engineering and Technology Group is looking for a Research Manager in the field of circular hydrometallurgy.
The SOLVOMET Group (Department of Chemistry, Group SET) is an internationally renowned research group in the domain of metallurgical chemistry and circular hydrometallurgy. The SOLVOMET Group, which is coordinated by Prof. Koen Binnemans, is part of the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM² KU Leuven).
Through our SOLVOMET Research and Training Centre we support our industrial partners (mining and metallurgical sector) in the development of more sustainable, circular hydrometallurgical processes, using in-house state-of-the-art lab-scale and (mini)-pilot-scale experimental facilities.
For the further development of the competences of the SOLVOMET Group and Industrial Service Centre, we are looking for a Research Manager in view of the development of circular hydrometallurgical flowsheets and/or improvements of existing hydrometallurgical flowsheets. Circular hydrometallurgical processes comprise flowsheets with virtually (net) zero consumption of chemicals and a minimum in energy input.

• To perform and coordinate advanced chemical and mineralogical characterization of solids and solutions with a complex matrix (e.g. black mass of spent lithium ion batteries, ores, concentrates, low-grade mining by-products, industrial process residues, lithium-containing brines, etc.), including dedicated sample preparation for sophisticated chemical analysis techniques;
• To investigate ad-hoc lab-scale pre-treatments (e.g. thermal treatments, ion-exchange/sorption experiments etc.) for sample enrichment and separation;
• To design, develop or improve innovative circular hydrometallurgical processes in collaboration with our industrial partners in bilateral contract research projects, IOF funded projects, VLAIO/Materinex funded research projects and applied European research projects (Research Innovation Actions & Innovation Actions, RIA/IA). As such you will improve the SOLVOMET Group’s in-depth knowledge and practical development skills of circular hydrometallurgy. More specifically, you will develop enhanced leaching processes using benign lixiviants as well as metal recovery processes from the obtained pregnant leach solutions by smart use of solvent extraction (your main expertise), ion exchange, cementation, precipitation and/or electrochemistry, with attention for the recycling and regeneration of all chemical reagents;
• To intensively collaborate with key industry partners (including paying regular site visits of metallurgical plants and writing scientific reports on these visits). You will perform high-impact research and development activities in collaboration with Belgian, European and global mining and metallurgical companies (in the context of the SOLVOMET Industrial Service Centre);
• To perform high-quality scientific reporting and dissemination of the scientific and technological results. This task includes preparing interim and technical reports, contributing to patent applications for new inventions, and (in some projects) publishing high-impact scientific papers. Furthermore, you will present results during network-wide events in European RIA/IA projects;
• To provide science-deep input with respect to circular hydrometallurgical processes during the development, writing and implementation of new bilateral & EU project proposals, in collaboration with the KU Leuven IRF Research Manager on "Sustainable Metallurgy" and other research managers/experts and the head of the SOLVOMET Group;
• Supervise or provide guidance to PhD and MSc students, working on topics closely related to circular hydrometallurgy;
• Occasionally support in teaching activities.

Profile

• A PhD in Chemistry or Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering;
• More than 5 years of hands-on experience in carrying out bench-scale and mini-pilot experiments in hydrometallurgy (leaching, solvent extraction, cementation, precipitation);
• Good track record of publications in high-quality peer-reviewed international journals;
• Strong problem-solving ability of technical and complex issues related to circular hydrometallurgy;
• Practical experience in conducting applied research projects with industry partners and/or public-funded, both low-TRL as high-TRL projects in collaboration with companies;
• Be willing to regularly visit companies in Belgium and abroad to discuss industrial flowsheet improvements and/or adaptations;
• Experienced or willing to provide science-deep technical input in the development of new bilateral