Chemist / Chemical Technologist – Catalysis

A new route to recycled feedstock for polyolefins

Around half of all plastic produced worldwide is polyolefin (PE and PP). At end-of-life, most of it is still incinerated or landfilled. Existing recycling routes either lead to downcycling or need so much energy and processing that recycled plastic struggles to compete with fossil-based plastic.

Repolyze is a spin-off from Utrecht University, founded to bring a new technology to industrial scale: Catalytic Ball Milling (CBM). Instead of high-temperature processes followed by cracking and hydrotreating, CBM uses catalytically activated grinding spheres in a rotating mill to break polyolefins down into gaseous monomers, at ambient temperature and pressure. The catalytic surface of the spheres is what makes the difference: it steers the reaction towards monomers and turns mechanical energy into a selective, one-step depolymerisation. This creates a direct route from waste to feedstock, with the potential to use substantially less energy than current chemical recycling methods.

The technology has been demonstrated in the lab, and the step to kilogram scale has been made. The next steps are a ton-scale pilot and, after that, a first commercial plant. We are looking for a chemist / chemical technologist to help us take these steps.

Your role

You will join at the stage where research is being translated into an industrial technology. In the first phase, you will work in a small multidisciplinary team, mainly on research in preparation for a ton-scale pilot. At first this involves a substantial amount of desk research. You will work closely with universities, research institutes, industrial partners and suppliers, and reach out to them yourself, including the Utrecht University research group that developed CBM. Their input and your findings will form the basis for key technical decisions.

• CBM technology development. Deepen the understanding of the mechano-catalytic depolymerisation process and of how yield, selectivity and energy use depend on the catalyst, the process conditions and scale. Translate results into the research and development programme for the ton-scale pilot phase.
• Robustness for real waste streams. Map how the composition, pre-treatment and physical form of household and industrial polyolefin waste affect the CBM process and its output.
• Regeneration of catalytic spheres. Find the best technology to produce and regenerate the catalytically activated grinding spheres – scalable, energy-efficient and cost-effective – in cooperation with research partners and suppliers.
• Product and process chemistry. Analyse the composition of the CBM gas output and how it depends on feedstock and catalyst. Provide the chemical input for its connection to downstream separation, purification and polymerisation processes.

As the company moves from research to pilot, your role will develop accordingly: from desk research to experimental development and, eventually, to the pilot installation itself.

Your profile

• An MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology or a related field.
• A background in inorganic and heterogeneous catalysis is strongly preferred.
• Broad technical interest and knowledge, and the ability and drive to dive into new subjects when necessary, whether that is mechanochemistry, surface treatment of grinding media or a techno-economic analysis.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and business sense. If the planned route doesn’t get you what you need, you take the initiative and find another one. You consider not only whether something works, but also whether it can be scaled and is economically viable.
• A self-starter who is comfortable working in a new field where many answers still need to be found.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative attitude. You are a team player who easily makes connections and actively builds a network to achieve shared goals.
• Experience with catalyst synthesis and characterisation, catalyst deactivation and regeneration, or plastics recycling is a strong advantage.

What we offer

• A key role from day one in a deep-tech start-up with a distinctive technology.
• Close collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners across Europe.
• The opportunity to contribute to the circular economy and to help build a company from the ground up.
• Room to grow with the company, from research through pilot to first-of-a-kind plant.

Repolyze is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. If you don’t meet every requirement but are enthusiastic about the role, we encourage you to apply.

Repolyze cannot offer visa sponsorship.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.