Temporary Chemical Technicians

Posted September 8, 2010 12:00 AM    

Sapphire Energy is a venture capital backed company developing next generation biofuels. The company’s focus is the commercialization of high performance, low cost, and low carbon biofuels that will substitute for conventional gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

We are seeking multiple temporary chemical technicians to work in our research and development center in San Diego. The primary task will be to operate and maintain laboratory and bench scale equipment to support the development of process technology.

Responsibilities:

• Perform routine and experimental tasks related to extraction of oils and byproducts from biomass.

• Perform oil extractions on a daily basis. Use various extraction tools such as pumps, acid-base chemistry, solvent evaporation, centrifugation etc.

• Record data

• Work with organic solvents, drying, distillation, filtration, liquid-liquid extractions, etc.

• Perform routine analysis such ash and moisture content, gravimetric yield, etc.

• Perform laboratory scale experiments for oil refining, degumming, bleaching, hydrolysis reactions, deodorization, vacuum distillation.

• Sample preparation for analysis and bench scale experiments

• Maintain laboratory space, supplies and equipment

Requirements:

• Good mechanical aptitude.

• Ability to operate extraction equipment.

• Ability to record data and perform basic mathematics.

• Associate degree related to chemical processing a plus.

• Training with flammable solvents and experience working with organic solvents a plus.

• Due to the highly collaborative nature of this position, interpersonal and communications skills will be extremely important.

Please not there are multiple positions available (some on the 2nd shift). To apply, please send your CV and salary requirements to human.resources@sapphireenergy.com and reference “Temp Chem Tech” in the subject line.