Job Description

This is an excellent opportunity for a Chemical Engineering undergraduate to gain practical experience in a specialty chemicals manufacturing environment. The role will provide exposure to the real-world application of chemical engineering principles, with opportunities to contribute to process optimisation, efficiency improvements, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence projects. Working alongside experienced industry professionals, the student will develop valuable technical and professional skills while making a meaningful contribution to site performance

Job Responsibilities

Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Placement Student

· Job Description

Position: Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Placement Student
Location: Manufacturing Site – Specialty Chemicals Production
Duration: 12-Month Industrial Placement

· About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Chemical Engineering undergraduate to join our specialty chemicals manufacturing site for a year-long industrial placement. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a dynamic production environment and apply academic chemical engineering principles to real-world industrial challenges.

Working alongside experienced Process Engineers, Production Teams, Maintenance Personnel, and Project Engineers, the successful candidate will contribute to initiatives focused on process optimisation, operational efficiency, sustainability, safety, and continuous improvement. The role will provide valuable exposure to large-scale chemical manufacturing processes and offer an excellent foundation for a future career in the chemical industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with troubleshooting process issues and investigating root causes of plant performance deviations.

• Support process improvement projects aimed at increasing plant efficiency, productivity, and reliability.

• Analyse process data and identify opportunities for optimisation of manufacturing operations.

• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, energy consumption, and environmental impact.

• Assist in the development and updating of process documentation, including operating procedures, process flow diagrams, and engineering reports.

• Work with cross-functional teams including Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Technical, and Health & Safety functions.

• Participate in plant trials, data collection, and performance monitoring activities.

• Support hazard identification and process safety activities, gaining exposure to industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

Learning Opportunities

During the placement, the student will:

• Gain practical experience of chemical engineering within a specialty chemicals manufacturing environment.

• Develop an understanding of industrial-scale chemical processes, equipment, and operations.

• Learn how chemical engineering principles are applied to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Build skills in process engineering, technical problem-solving, data analysis, and project management.

• Gain exposure to process safety methodologies, continuous improvement tools, and environmental compliance requirements.

• Develop professional communication, teamwork, and stakeholder management skills through interaction with multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience the challenges and opportunities of operating in a modern manufacturing environment.

What We Offer

This placement provides a unique opportunity to develop both technical and professional skills within a leading specialty chemicals manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will gain practical experience delivering meaningful improvements in process performance, efficiency, and sustainability while working alongside experienced engineers and industry professionals.