Project Engineer - Chemist Critical Metals (All Genders)

Düsseldorf Area

Full-time

Fixed-term

Overview

BIOWEG is building next-generation recycling and separation technology to recover critical metals (incl. rare earth elements) from challenging mineral and waste streams. This role is for a hands-on Bioleaching Scientist who is strong in the chemistry of leaching (kinetics, speciation, acidity/redox control, precipitation, impurity management). Bioleaching (leaching chemistry) experience is a must.

You will design and run bioleaching experiments and translate them into robust, scalable workflows. Typical bioleaching “types / modes” you’ll encounter include:

Direct vs. indirect bioleaching (contact vs. non-contact mechanisms)
Acidolysis/complexolysis/redoxolysis driven dissolution pathways
Process formats from shake flasks/columns up to heap/vat/tank systems (depending on scale and material)
And you’ll interface with downstream steps (depending on the stream): filtration/solid-liquid separation, selective precipitation, ion exchange/adsorption, solvent extraction concepts, and (nice-to-have) electrowinning

Your Role

Bioleaching experiment design & execution:

Plan and run bioleaching campaigns on minerals, concentrates, industrial residues, or recycled materials (lab scale to pilot logic)
Optimize leaching performance via pH/Eh control, oxidant balance, pulp density, particle size, temperature, residence time, and impurity management
Build mass balances for metals, acids, and major ions across time (kinetics and yield)

Analytical monitoring (acids, metals and process control). You will set up practical measurement routines for:

pH and ORP/Eh monitoring (ORP is often a key control parameter in bioleaching and ties strongly to Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ behavior in many systems)
Metal concentration in leach liquor using ICP-OES/ICP-MS (typical in bioleaching studies and scale-up monitoring)
Acid/anion quantification (depending on system):
Total acidity/free acidity via titration (routine control method)
Organic acids via HPLC (common, reliable approach for organic acid quantification)
Organic acids and inorganic anions via ion chromatography when matrices are complex

Separation collaboration (TU Berlin and BIOWEG):

Work closely with TU Berlin partners on integrating leachates with selective capture/separation concepts (e.g., adsorption/column workflows)
Prepare defined leach solutions, impurity profiles, and stability windows to support selective metal capture

Documentation & scale-up readiness

Maintain clean lab documentation, SOPs, and decision-ready data packages for internal and partner reviews
Translate bench results into “engineering-friendly” specs: expected acid consumption, yields, impurity constraints, and downstream requirements

Your Profile

Degree (MSc/PhD) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Hydrometallurgy, Metallurgy, Materials Chemistry, or similar
Proven bioleaching experience (minerals or waste streams) with real experimental ownership
Strong understanding of leaching chemistry: speciation, kinetics, thermodynamics, redox systems, complexation, precipitation
Comfort with analytical workflows for leach liquors (ICP-OES/ICP-MS, titration, HPLC/IC, etc.)
Ability to work in a fast-moving R&D environment and communicate clearly in English

Good-to-have (adds strong value)

Knowledge of recycling/hydrometallurgy routes and unit operations (pre-treatment, roasting concepts, neutralization, SX/IX, crystallization)
Experience with mineral characterization (XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS, particle size) and solids handling
Electrowinning/electrochemistry understanding (even conceptual and lab exposure is helpful)
Biotech/microbiology understanding (helpful but not the core requirement)

How to apply

CV
A short paragraph describing your bioleaching projects (materials, metals, acids used and your role)
(Optional) Publications/patents or a project portfolio

What We Offer

Direct ownership of a high-impact, sustainability-driven technology path in critical metals recycling
Work at the interface of bioleaching, chemistry and separation, with TU Berlin collaboration
High autonomy, fast iteration, and the chance to shape the technical direction early

About us

BIOWEG is a purpose-driven company developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-based ingredients using Biotech and Green Chemistry.

We create sustainable products that match or even outperform fossil-based alternatives while remaining price competitive. Our main products, MicBeads (sensory micropowder) and RheoWeg (rheology modifier), are used by leading cosmetics and chemical companies.

We are driving to create a better world and a lasting, sustainable impact. Join our diverse and relentless team to revolutionize and drive green innovation across multiple industries.