Technician responsible for catalytic processes; Specialist in catalytic conversion.

In the process known as catalysis, a small amount of product, called a catalyst, increases the speed of a chemical reaction without being consumed during the process. The catalyst lets the reaction be faster and more selective, so that the chemical process takes place with increased efficiency and less waste production. A new catalytic process requires different phases: the design and synthesis of the required ligands, the preparation and characterisation of the catalysts, activity optimisation and selectivity and scaling at an industrial level. This involves a wide range of professionals specialising in these types of processes, from a purely scientific level to their application at the industrial plant. This occupation centres on the transformation of raw materials in industrial products, primarily in creating organic and inorganic substances. Thus, the person holding this post is in charge of supervising and coordinating the activities of the workers involved in running the equipment, whether this is the preparation of the catalysts themselves, obtaining monomers starting from raw material, in mixing them with the monomer extract to produce polymers or adding chemical additives.

• Work in teams to develop new products and improve company processes.
  Be part of a multidisciplinary team that focuses on developing catalysts.
  Work on developing new useful catalysts for company operations.
  Perform research projects and provide technical support on characterising the catalyst.
  Plan and execute projects for obtaining new catalysts.
  Can discover and develop new analytical methods of catalyst characterisation and the process.
  Capable of characterising new commercial catalysts and advising on how to improve them.
  Use pilot plant facilities to test and validate new catalysts and develop kinetic models for their industrial scaling.
  Select the catalyst according to requirements on temperature and pressure, reagent mass transfer, its weight and size, degradation level and cost.
• Coordinate operations, interpret data and seek solutions to problems that arise during the catalytic process.
  Know of the theories and how to apply and interpret data from measurement instruments.
  Have knowledge of the catalytic processes of different industrial plants and pilot plants.
  Correlate data on catalyst characterisation with the quality of the products obtained.
  Calculate the amount of product obtained and the performance of the catalyst, using lab reports and computer tools.
  Perform controls for the catalytic process in coordination with specialised plant operators, including the temperature, pressure and response time, according to instrument readings, logs and knowledge of process requirements to keep the effeciency of the operation within specific limits.
  Supervise the introduction of inert gases in the converters to eliminate explosive steams, purging the catalyst, as well as in reactions with inert atmospheres.
  Decide on replacing the catalyst or its regeneration according to established efficacy parameters and quality.
• Coordinate laboratory technicians and pilot plant operators.
  Take charge of training workers in maching operation and laboratory tasks.
  Control the performance of studies in the analysis laboratory and operating protocols.

Regulated training and graduates

• Professionalism Certificate: Chemical plant management and control (Level 3)
• Professionalism Certificate: Microbiological and biotechnological tests (Level 3)
• Professionalism Certificate: Chemical Analysis (Level 3)
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Chemical Professional Families - Advanced Level: Laboratory for analysis and quality control
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Chemical Professional Families - Advanced Level: Chemical industry
• Grau: Bioquímica
• Grau: Bioquímica i biologia molecular
• Grau: Biotecnologia
• Grau: Química
• Grau: Enginyeria en tecnologies industrials
• Grau: Enginyeria de materials
• Grau: Enginyeria química

Complementary training

A knowledge of Biotechnology is recommended. Enzymatic catalysis and biocatalysts are becoming more and more used in the industry and this requires obtaining greater knowledge to take advantage of any opportunities that arise. A master or post graduate degree is recommended, mainly for work in the pharmaceutical industry.
Knowledge of catalyst characterisation and surface analysis. Primarily interested in studying catalyst properties at macroscopic and microscopic levels.
Knowledge of nanomaterials and the application of nanotechnology in the area of catalysts.
The company can offer in-house training or subsidize outside training when necessary. Among other activities, participate in chemical engineering, reactor design and other seminars or congresses depending on the nature of the project or processes to be improved, apart from the experience acquired in multidisciplinary working groups.

Other specific skills

Fluency in English. As the majority of scientific data in this field is written in English, an advanced knowledge of this language is required, with knowledge of German being recommended.
High computer literacy is recommended, including office automation, graphic expression and computer-aided design.
Experience in online molecular modelling and analytics techniques.
Good practical knowledge and skills in planning and executing projects.
Interest in research, construction, design and other areas related to the chemical industrial.

Team work and cooperation: Level 2

Initiative: Level 2

Planning and organisation: Level 3

Analytical thought: Level 2

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

People management: Level 1

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Chemical Laboratory Technician

Biotechnology quality technician

Computational chemistry technician

Drug development technician.

Chemical synthesis and scaling specialist

• Work hours

  Split, continuous or shift work.
  This job requires a full day of about eight hours with part-time work being unusual. Catalysts are used in large constant-process plants that require permanent attention to guarantee product quality, efficacy parameters and system stability. This involves the presence of a specialist in catalysis as a point of reference in decision making during the catalytic process.
  

• Salary

  Gross annual wages depend on the job post, ranging from 19.116 to 27.295 euros. Median: 22.842 euros annum gross. Salaries may rise depending on the level of responsibility taken on at the company.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Technician

• Human resources and equipment

  This activity is normally covered by the research centers where they usually work or by the contracting company, mainly at the level of computer supplies, availability of the laboratory or office, materials and reagents and use of scientific instrumentation. On some occasions collaboration agreements are established between the company and the research center, including human resources and materials and incentives for the investigator responsible for the project.