Hybrid Chemical/Process Engineer bei Ad Terra

Chemical/Process Engineer

Permanent, full-time, Geneva based

Ad Terra is an international geoscience & engineering consulting firm, and renewable energy operator striving to unlock Earth’s boundless energy potential responsibly.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and versatile Chemical/Process Engineer to join our Geneva-based team. This full-time, permanent position is pivotal to advancing Ad Terra’s operations across lithium extraction, oil & gas redevelopment, and emerging microbial hydrogen technologies. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) methods—such as adsorption, ion exchange, membrane separation, and solvent extraction—alongside strong chemical engineering capabilities relevant to brownfield oil & gas surface process optimization and bio-reactor systems for hydrogen production. This role is ideal for a chemically minded innovator passionate about bridging conventional and next-generation energy technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, testing, and optimization of DLE processes for lithium recovery from brines.
• Evaluate and select appropriate DLE technologies based on project-specific brine chemistries and operational constraints.
• Design and execute laboratory and pilot-scale experiments to validate process performance.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including geochemistry, process engineering, and project development to integrate DLE solutions into broader project workflows.
• Support scale-up efforts from lab to field, including vendor engagement and technology transfer.
• Analyse and interpret complex chemical data to inform process improvements and decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property and technical documentation.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and innovations in lithium extraction and brine processing.
• Support enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategies and surface process design for mature oil fields, integrating chemical injection, water treatment, and hydrocarbon separation systems.
• Design and optimize surface facilities and chemical treatment units for oil & gas brownfields, including flow assurance and produced water management.
• Collaborate with subsurface and drilling teams to evaluate chemical compatibility, reservoir integrity, and process-chemical interactions.
• Lead or support R&D Biotech initiatives related to microbiological and chemical interactions in subsurface environments (From hydrocarbon to H2)
• Coordinate laboratory-scale experiments and pilot tests combining chemical process engineering with microbial metabolic modelling.
• Provide technical consulting services and strategic advisory to clients of Ad Terra Consultancy worldwide, positioning the company as a reference partner in chemical engineering expertise.

Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD preferred) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in lithium extraction, hydrometallurgy, or related chemical processing fields.
• Proven expertise in DLE technologies : adsorption, ion exchange, membranes, solvent extraction, etc.
• Strong knowledge of brine chemistry, surface treatment processes, and lithium recovery pathways.
• Experience with lab and pilot-scale process development and analytical techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Passion for innovation and sustainability in the energy transition space.
• Full professional proficiency in English; proficiency in French and/or German is considered an asset.
• EU citizenship or valid work authorization in Switzerland is required.

Thank you for considering joining our team.