R&D Engineer (Thermodynamics)

Our journey from start-up to global leader in industrial Carbon Capture

Carbon Clean has been developing and providing carbon capture solutions since around 2009. Over the years, we have grown our expertise and technology, including the Cyclone CC system, to help industries reduce carbon emissions more efficiently. In the next phase of our growth, we are seeking an impactful R&D Engineer (Thermodynamics).

📍 London, UK | 💰 Competitive + Incentive Awards tied to your performance + Benefits

The Role

The Engineering & Process Research (E&PR) team drives process innovation at Carbon Clean, solving high-value problems and filling critical knowledge gaps. As an R&D Engineer (Thermodynamics), you will build custom property, VLE and reaction models for advanced solvent formulations, maintain and improve existing solvent models, incorporate novel reaction schemes, and drive the advancement of Carbon Clean's solvent formulations through a range of simulation practices.

You will be an expert in thermodynamics and accomplished in the numerical implementation of solvers and optimisers for model regression. Working directly with wet-lab specialists, you will help propose and design experiments, contribute to idea generation and intellectual property, and consult with internal and external stakeholders on well-communicated, tailored solutions.

Reporting to the Engineering and Process Research Manager within E&PR. Full-time, 37.5 hours a week.

What success looks like:

·       Robust, validated solvent models (thermo-kinetic, property and thermal degradation) that measurably improve prediction accuracy against lab data.

·       Accurate activity coefficient models in place for Carbon Clean's novel solvent formulations.

·       Experimental programmes co-designed with wet-lab teams that close the key data gaps for model validation.

·       New modelling approaches and reaction schemes that contribute to process innovation and intellectual property.

·       Clear, regular communication of results that stakeholders trust and act on.

Role Focus:

·       50–60%: Solvent thermodynamic and kinetic model development, including activity coefficient (eNRTL), VLE, property and degradation models, and large-scale parameter regression.

·       25–30%: Experimental collaboration and model validation, including co-designing experiments, simulation planning and data analysis.

·       10–20%: Innovation and communication, including literature review, novel reaction schemes, IP generation, and reporting to internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities consist of but not limited to...

Solvent Modelling & Thermodynamics

·       Build and own the development of solvent models, including thermo-kinetic, property and thermal degradation models.

·       Validate models using lab data and continuously refine them to improve predictions.

·       Be able to accurately interpret experimental data, engage with experimentalists to improve data quality, and identify datasets needed to build and improve models.

·       Drive the building of accurate activity coefficient models for novel solvent formulations, identifying the best approaches and proactively overcoming technical challenges.

·       Implement solvers and optimisers to regress large-parameter models against experimental data.

Experimental Collaboration & Model Validation

·       Collaborate with experimental teams to design experiments and specify datasets and studies that support model validation and improvement.

·       Proactively prepare simulation plans in support of project goals.

·       Perform post-processing and data analysis using your knowledge of reaction engineering and thermodynamics.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

·       Keep up with the literature and apply novel approaches and reaction schemes to improve model fidelity and predictive capability.

·       Play an integral part in idea generation, driving process innovation and intellectual property generation for Carbon Clean.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

·       Prepare figures, reports and presentations documenting project results.

·       Present results regularly to internal and external stakeholders.

·       Engage proactively with stakeholders, offering thoughtful, well-communicated solutions tailored to their requirements.

You are an ideal candidate if…

·       You hold a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline with relevant thesis work, plus at least 2 years of relevant research experience in an industrial setting (3–4 years preferred).

·       You have built thermo-kinetic models for multi-component polar, non-ideal mixtures, ideally in CO₂ capture or gas treating applications.

·       You have 2+ years' experience in solution thermodynamics modelling of non-ideal, polar, reactive mixtures using gamma-phi approaches with Electrolyte NRTL (preferred) or SAFT.

·       You have built, solved and optimised robust kinetic models that incorporate fundamental process chemistry.

·       You have used off-the-shelf optimisers (e.g. HEEDS, SciPy, Pyomo) to fit large-parameter models (100+ parameters) to experimental data.

·       You are proficient in Python and process simulation software such as AVEVA Process Simulation, Aspen Plus, gPROMS or similar.

·       You have led projects and provided technical mentoring in an industrial R&D setting.

·       You are comfortable working with a global team across UK, US and India time zones.

·       You are self-motivated and self-reliant, with excellent written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills.

The application journey has 4 key steps

1.    Recruiter call (initial 30 mins conversation)

2.    Technical interview with the Hiring Manager

3.    Technical case study or presentation with the E&PR team

4.    Final interview with senior leadership

This process should take around 3–4 weeks - your schedule is really important to us, so we promise to be as flexible as possible!

Why join us?

Join a mission-driven team tackling one of the world's toughest challenges: decarbonising heavy industry, with an ambition to capture 1 billion tonnes of CO₂. In this role, your models will directly shape the next generation of Carbon Clean's solvent technology and contribute to new intellectual property, working alongside experimental specialists across the UK, US and India.

In addition, we offer you:

·       The opportunity to continue to develop both personally and professionally, in our rapidly growing company.

·       A culture that encourages excellence, ownership, flexibility and care.

·       Our great workplaces with excellent facilities and perks, where we can come together to collaborate with like-minded colleagues.

·       Our flexible approach to working – including our hybrid approach and days to work from anywhere globally.

We provide these benefits & perks:

·       25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays.

·       Private Healthcare for you and your family.

·       Health Cash Plan to spend on specific treatments.

·       Life insurances for your financial protection including Income Protection, Life Insurance and Critical Illness Cover.

·       Wellbeing programmes including EAP trained counsellors.

·       Generous company pension contribution of 5%.

·       Green travel schemes including Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme.

·       Individual training budget tailored towards your personal development.

·       Funding support towards professional qualification and memberships.

We believe everyone Belongs @ Carbon Clean

We are passionate and committed to our people. At Carbon Clean, you will be working in an inclusive environment where everyone belongs. It's talent that matters to us, and we encourage applications from people irrespective of their gender, race, sexual orientation and identity, religion, age, disability status or caring responsibilities.