Chemist (m/w/d) – Catalysis & Reaction Optimization

SECARA is building the chemical recycling technology that turns technical polymer waste (PA6, PA66, PC, PBT and more) back into virgin-grade monomers - keeping materials in the loop instead of the incinerator.

We are looking for a Chemist (or similar, m/w/d) to take ownership of catalysis and reaction optimization for our depolymerization process - hands-on across scales, from 10 mL lab batches to multi-liter automated reactors.

Your role

- Develop and optimize heterogeneous catalyst systems for depolymerization

- Run studies across multiple orders of magnitude, from 10 mL lab scale up to multi-liter reactors (scale-up)

- Characterize catalysts with state-of-the-art methods (XRD, BET, TPR, SEM/EDX and others)

- Systematically optimize reaction conditions and reactor parameters to maximize monomer yield and selectivity, for pure and mixed waste streams

- Analytically characterize reaction mixtures and products via GC, HPLC, NMR, GPC and further techniques

- Develop reaction networks for complex input streams

- Screen the literature and patent landscape in chemical plastics recycling and catalysis

Must-haves

- Completed M.Sc. or PhD in Technical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry or a comparable field

- Solid hands-on lab experience in heterogeneous catalysis, polymer chemistry and/or chemical recycling

- Fluent German and excellent English, spoken and written

- Independent, structured working style with strong personal initiative

Nice-to-haves

- Experience with scale-up and reactor design

- Interest in a long-term engagement to support our scale-up pathway

Even if you don't match every point above, we are curious why you believe you are a great fit for this role - tell us in your application.

What we offer

- A core role in a sustainability scale-up establishing circular value chains for technical polymers

- Real impact: you develop the process that diverts thousands of tonnes of technical plastics from incineration

- Hands-on work across scales, from 10 mL batch to multi-liter automated reactors

- Fast track to ownership - direct responsibility for impactful topics from day one

- Based in our Aachen team

Apply with your CV and a short intro letter to jobs@secara.tech