About Us:
Byohm, the trading name for Wastewater Fuels Ltd, is a UK-based clean technology company pioneering next-generation wastewater treatment and renewable energy systems. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Coventry, West Midlands, we develop bio-electrochemical systems (BES) that convert wastewater into treated water and renewable fuels.
Driven by a mission to revolutionise wastewater treatment through low-energy, sustainable technologies, we aim to recover energy and protect natural resources. Our vision is to create a world where every drop of wastewater and organic waste contributes to a circular, decarbonised economy — transforming what was once waste into a valuable source of clean energy and environmental resilience.
Job Overview:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Chemist / Chemical Engineer to support the development, optimisation, and scale-up of Microbial Electrochemical Cell – Anaerobic Digestion systems (MEC-AD) and Microbial Fuel Cells for wastewater treatment.
The successful applicant will contribute to the research, design, testing, and engineering optimisation of integrated anaerobic digestion and bio-electrochemical systems. This role is suited to a candidate with skills in the following areas; electrochemistry, anaerobic digestion, process design, and applied research, with an interest in developing scalable technologies for renewable energy, waste treatment, and resource recovery.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Supporting the research and development of bio-electrochemical systems from laboratory scale through to pilot and scale-up stages.
- Designing, testing, and optimising anaerobic digestion and microbial electrochemical systems. Utilise CAD software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks to create detailed schematics and system layouts.
- Assisting with process design, reactor configuration, materials selection, and system integration.
- Analysing system performance, including biogas production, methane yield, COD removal, volatile fatty acids, pH, alkalinity, nutrient balance, and electrochemical performance.
- Developing experimental plans, operating procedures, and technical reports.
- Supporting scale-up studies, including mass and energy balances, hydraulic design, mixing considerations, and process control requirements.
- Identifying opportunities to improve system efficiency, stability, and commercial viability.
- Working with multidisciplinary teams, including chemical engineers, microbiologists, electrochemists, and process engineers.
- Reviewing scientific literature and applying current research findings to system design and optimisation.
- Communication of project progress with internal and external stakeholders.
- Supporting grant applications, technical proposals, presentations, and publications where required.
Essential Requirements:
Applicants must have:
- A Master’s degree or higher in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience designing, operating, or analysing laboratory-scale or pilot-scale bioreactors.
- Knowledge of process engineering principles, including mass transfer, reaction kinetics, heat and mass balances, and process optimisation.
- Experience with microbial electrochemical systems, including microbial electrolysis cells, microbial fuel cells, bio-electrochemical reactors, or related technologies.
- Ability to interpret experimental data and prepare clear technical reports.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- A practical, hands-on approach to experimental research and engineering design.
- Good awareness of laboratory safety, risk assessments, and safe operating procedures.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Skills and Experience:
The following skills would be advantageous:
· Knowledge of electrochemistry, including electrode materials, cell design, voltage/current measurement, cyclic voltammetry, impedance analysis, or electrochemical reactor performance.
· Understanding of microbiology, particularly anaerobic microbial communities, methanogens, biofilms, syntrophic interactions, and microbial pathways involved in anaerobic digestion.
· Experience with CFD – Computational Fluid Dynamics, particularly for reactor design, mixing analysis, fluid flow, mass transfer, or scale-up studies.
· Familiarity with reactor scale-up, pilot plant design, or technology demonstration projects.
· Knowledge of renewable energy systems, wastewater treatment, organic waste treatment, or circular economy technologies.
· Experience with gas analysis, chromatography, spectrophotometry, electrochemical testing, or biochemical methane potential testing.
· Experience preparing academic publications, technical reports, grant proposals, or patent-supporting documentation.
Personal Attributes:
We are looking for someone who is:
· Curious, research-driven, and technically rigorous.
· Comfortable with a hands-on approach to working on emerging technologies with evolving design requirements.
· Able to translate laboratory findings into practical engineering improvements.
· Organised and capable of managing experimental work, data, and documentation.
· Collaborative, proactive, and willing to contribute new ideas across disciplines.
· Motivated by sustainable technology, renewable energy, and environmental innovation.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary (£27k to £36k pa, subject to experience)
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Minimum qualification: Master’s degree in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Education:
- Master’s (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
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