Senior Catalyst Activity Characterization Specialist

Job Title: Senior Catalyst Activity Characterization Specialist

Location: United Arab Emirates (Remote)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: 100% Remote — Work From Home

Level: Senior

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Catalyst Activity Characterization Specialist to provide remote technical expertise in catalyst performance evaluation, activity characterization, reaction kinetics, and process optimization. The role focuses on reviewing catalyst testing data, assessing catalytic activity and selectivity, evaluating deactivation behaviour, and interpreting analytical results to support catalyst development and industrial process performance.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in catalysis, chemical engineering, reaction chemistry, and analytical characterization methods. This is a fully remote technical position focused on scientific data interpretation, technical documentation review, and advisory support. All physical catalyst preparation, experimental testing, and laboratory operations must be performed by qualified local personnel.

Key Responsibilities

• Review catalyst activity studies and evaluate experimental results from laboratory and pilot-scale testing programmes.
• Analyze catalyst conversion, selectivity, yield, reaction rate, and product distribution data.
• Assess catalyst performance under varying temperature, pressure, feed composition, and operating conditions.
• Review catalytic reaction kinetics and evaluate relevant performance models.
• Interpret characterization results from techniques such as BET surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and temperature-programmed analysis.
• Evaluate catalyst acidity, basicity, active metal dispersion, surface properties, and pore structure using available analytical data.
• Assess catalyst deactivation mechanisms, including poisoning, fouling, sintering, coking, and structural degradation.
• Compare fresh, spent, regenerated, and modified catalyst performance.
• Review catalyst screening, formulation development, and performance benchmarking studies.
• Evaluate the relationship between catalyst composition, preparation parameters, structural properties, and catalytic activity.
• Review experimental protocols, analytical methods, calibration records, and laboratory quality documentation.
• Analyze repeatability, reproducibility, measurement uncertainty, and data integrity across catalyst testing programmes.
• Identify performance anomalies and support investigations into reduced activity, poor selectivity, or unexpected reaction behaviour.
• Recommend improvements to catalyst evaluation procedures, experimental design, and performance monitoring.
• Review catalyst regeneration and reuse studies, including available evidence of activity recovery and stability.
• Prepare technical reports, comparative catalyst assessments, scientific summaries, and management presentations.
• Coordinate remotely with catalyst researchers, process engineers, laboratory teams, and industrial project stakeholders.
• Monitor developments in catalyst characterization technologies, reaction engineering, and industrial catalytic processes.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Catalysis, or a related discipline.
• Typically 7–10 years of relevant experience in catalyst testing, catalytic process development, chemical research, or materials characterization.
• Strong understanding of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, reaction kinetics, and catalytic mechanisms.
• Experience interpreting catalyst activity, selectivity, conversion, yield, and stability data.
• Knowledge of catalyst characterization methods, including BET, XRD, SEM, TEM, and temperature-programmed techniques.
• Understanding of catalyst deactivation, poisoning, fouling, sintering, and regeneration mechanisms.
• Familiarity with laboratory and pilot-scale catalyst evaluation programmes.
• Ability to assess experimental design, testing conditions, analytical methods, and scientific data quality.
• Experience reviewing reaction performance models and relevant process simulation outputs.
• Knowledge of industrial catalytic applications in refining, petrochemicals, chemicals, emissions control, or related sectors.
• Proficiency in scientific data analysis, spreadsheets, technical reporting, and relevant engineering software.
• Strong analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and scientific documentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with geographically distributed technical teams.

What We Offer

• 100% remote working arrangement from home.
• Full-time opportunity in catalyst performance evaluation and process development.
• Exposure to advanced catalytic technologies and industrial chemical applications.
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary scientific and engineering professionals.
• Opportunities for professional development and technical specialization.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV highlighting their catalyst characterization experience, catalytic performance analysis expertise, analytical techniques, and relevant professional qualifications.

Application Subject: Application – Senior Catalyst Activity Characterization Specialist (UAE Remote)

Candidates should confirm applicable employment arrangements, residency requirements, and work authorization before accepting an offer.

• Remote Work Scope: This position is limited to remote technical review, catalyst performance data analysis, characterization report interpretation, experimental documentation assessment, and engineering recommendations. Physical catalyst synthesis, sample preparation, chemical handling, laboratory experiments, reactor operation, instrument calibration, pilot-scale testing, and on-site inspections must be performed by qualified local personnel in appropriately equipped facilities. Live process modifications, safety-critical operating decisions, formal catalyst performance certifications, regulatory submissions, and statutory technical sign-offs must be handled or approved by appropriately qualified and authorized professionals.