Research Engineer (Vanadium Extraction & Process Development)

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