The Innovation and Development Division (IDD) drives the innovation strategy for the Hubs and Operations, and contributes to the Group's transformation. It is responsible for imagining, developing and incubating new solutions until they are brought to market, particularly when it comes to offers with a high technological content (including digital and IT). IDD gathers more than 3,000 employees from 70 nationalities at 60 sites.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a safety role model; promote a high level of safety awareness and continuous improvement in safety practices

• Drive innovations from lab scale to pilot scale, and eventually to Air Liquide's industrial manufacturing and business units

• Scientifically rigorous design and execution of experimental plans to support theories and prove solutions

• Design, build and operate laboratory / pilot setups to support the fabrication of materials and evaluation of materials and processes

• Hands-on work in membrane-focused R&D and manufacturing environments, especially in hollow-fiber membrane technology (i.e., coating, extrusion/spinning)

• Collect, analyze, document and communicate the results of experimental tests

• Propose innovative solutions and technical methods to solve problems and deliver results; supports development of intellectual property

• Collaborate closely with R&D team and business entities to solve problems and deliver results

• Acquire understanding of Air Liquide's industrial membrane production platforms and business to support operations and to help guide R&D towards manufacturable developments and business value creation

• Remain abreast of state-of-the-art in the membrane domain/literature, to ensure Air Liquide is at the cutting edge of the field.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree plus three years experience, and preferably in chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, polymer science and engineering

• 2 years in hands-on development of membrane materials and testing, preferably for gas separation

• Experienced candidates will be considered and candidates' experience will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

Competencies

• Understanding of membrane separation technology, with knowledge in:

  • Materials science, preferably polymer science, process engineering background is a plus

  • Evaluation and characterization (i.e., chemical, thermal, mechanical, rheological, and permeation properties) of membrane materials

  • Membrane manufacturing processes

  • Membrane systems, processes and applications

• Hands-on experience in forming and evaluating membranes, preferably for gas separation

• Experience with spinning/coating polymeric hollow-fibers is preferred

• Experience with other separation technologies such as adsorption is a plus

• Experience with pilot design and operation is a plus

• Demonstrated experience in safe experimental design (engineering and administrative measures), including the design of equipment and the protocols to use it

• Scientifically-sound approach to designing solution-focused experimental plans (e.g., design of experiments, testing protocols, sample definition)

• Familiarity with HYSYS/ASPEN for process simulations is preferred

• Works effectively within and amongst local and international R&D and manufacturing teams, including operators, technicians, researchers, and management.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken

• Project management experience is preferred (i.e., resource planning, work breakdown, transversal management, reporting)

• Flexibility and willingness to work on different projects according to business and developmental needs

Working Conditions

• Majority of time in research laboratories and pilots, with membrane fabrication and testing environments, working hands-on with solvents, polymers, gases, and testing equipment.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, speak and hear.

• Significant amount of time will be spent in the lab / pilot preparing and conducting experiments.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.

• Occasional travel to manufacturing sites (Newport, DE or Woburn MA) for plant support or trials and / or operational plants for field testing

Our Differences make our Performance

At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.