Laboratory jobs in Birmingham

Background:
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 to work on the development, optimisation, and scale-up of Microbial Fuel Cells for wastewater treatment and Microbial Electrochemical Cell – Anaerobic Digestion systems (MEC-AD).

The successful applicant will contribute to the research, design, build, testing, and engineering optimisation of bio-electrochemical systems for wastewater treatment.

This role is suited to a candidate with a Masters in Chemistry. Essential skills include: electrochemistry, bio-electrochemical systems and catalysis with an interest in developing scalable technologies for renewable energy, waste treatment, and resource recovery.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Work on the research and development of bio-electrochemical systems from laboratory scale through to pilot and scale-up stages.
• Designing, building, testing, and optimising microbial electrochemical systems.
• Work on 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.
• Identifying opportunities to improve system efficiency, stability, and commercial viability.
• Working with multidisciplinary teams, including chemical engineers, microbiologists, electrochemists, and mechanical 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:

To be considered for the role Applicants must have:

• A Master’s degree in Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
• Knowledge of bio-electrochemical systems.
• Knowledge of electrochemistry, including electrode materials, cell design, voltage/current measurement, cyclic voltammetry, impedance analysis, or electrochemical reactor performance.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

The following skills would be advantageous:

• Experience designing, operating, or analysing laboratory-scale or pilot-scale bioreactors.
• Understanding of industrial waste treatment.
• Understanding of microbiology, particularly methanogens, biofilms and syntrophic interactions.
• 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 work individually and as part of a team.
• 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

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £27,000.00-£36,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Education:

• Master's (required)

Experience:

• Laboratory: 1 year (required)
• Electrochemistry: 1 year (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Location:

• Coventry CV3 4LB (preferred)

Work Location: In person