Oleochemical Process Chemist
Department: Downstream Technology
Location: San Diego, California
Sapphire Energy is a venture capital backed company developing next generation biofuels based on recent advances in metabolic engineering. The company focus is the commercialization of high performance, low cost, and low carbon footprint biofuels that will substitute for conventional gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Job Description
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry
- Minimum 5 years experience in the development or applications of vegetable based esters, fatty acids fat and vegetable oil-based chemicals and derivatives
- Deep and fundamental understanding of key chemical conversion processes including etherification, esterification, inter-esterification, trans-esterification, distillation, hydrogenation, oxidation / reduction of fats and oils, and vegetable oil refining.
- Strong analytical chemistry experience with fats, oils and derivatives.
- Ability to participate in teams in product development, technology development, and applications.
- Ability to interact with commercial functions to facilitate new product development.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for customer interaction and engagement.
Preferred:
- PhD in organic chemistry, lipid chemistry, natural products chemistry, or a related field.
- Experience in the development or applications of fat and vegetable oil-based chemicals and derivatives
- Experience in biodiesel, oleochemicals, vegetable based esters, fatty acids, inks, surfactants, polymers, or vegetable oils and fats businesses.
- Solid knowledge of commercial scale-up and high volume manufacturing processing at the plant level.
Sapphire offers very competitive compensation packages including bonuses and equity, as well as full benefit packages which include health, dental, vision insurance, 401k, and paid time off. To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to human.resources@sapphirefuel.com.
Posted December 15, 2008