Location
Primarily based at Sidon Water Ltd, 18 North Street, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5NA, with approximately nine months of laboratory-based activity at Heriot-Watt University's Riccarton campus, Edinburgh.

Hours
Full-time, 35 hours per week, fixed term for 26 months.

Salary
£36,500 per annum (subject to Heriot-Watt confirmation) with a review during the project.

About the Role
This 26-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) position is a collaborative project between Heriot-Watt University and Sidon Water Ltd. The Associate will receive specialist training in electrochemistry, water-chemistry analysis, materials and surface characterisation, and predictive modelling before leading the development of a practical, evidence-based framework to predict the performance of Sidon Water's Integro electrochemical water-conditioning technology.
The role offers a unique opportunity to influence how a growing UK water-technology company evaluates, validates, and deploys a sustainable, non-chemical approach to scale control and fouling mitigation. The Associate will work at the intersection of fundamental scientific research and real-world applications across desalination, reverse osmosis, industrial water treatment, leisure, hospitality, and commercial hot-water systems.
Key responsibilities include planning and managing project activities, conducting laboratory and applied research on electrochemical behaviour and mineral scaling, developing and validating monitoring methods, coordinating materials characterisation studies, establishing in-house water-testing capabilities, defining operational performance envelopes, integrating datasets into predictive models, and translating findings into technical-sales materials and training.
The role involves regular travel between Sidon Water’s Glenrothes premises and Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton campus, with a flexible working schedule to meet project demands.
The Associate will benefit from participation in the national KTP scheme, including specialist management training, protected development time, and a dedicated professional development budget. There is potential for a permanent position at Sidon Water following successful completion of the project.

Experience
- Practical research or laboratory experience in electrochemistry, water chemistry, mineral scaling, materials or surface science, water treatment, chemical/process engineering, or environmental systems.
- Ability to design, plan and execute experiments, maintain accurate records, critically evaluate results, and troubleshoot laboratory or technical problems.
- Strong data literacy with experience analysing and interpreting complex datasets.
- Project management and organisational skills to handle complex workplans, priorities, risks, deadlines, and stakeholder engagement.
- Written and verbal communication skills to prepare technical reports and explain complex scientific ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across academic, technical, and commercial teams while working independently.
- Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word and confidence in learning new analytical, modelling, and data-management tools.
- A practical, proactive, and creative approach to problem solving with strong self-motivation, attention to detail, adaptability, and resilience.
- Commitment to knowledge transfer and embedding within Sidon Water and alignment with the project’s environmental and commercial goals.
- Willingness and ability to work primarily from Sidon Water’s Glenrothes premises and travel regularly to Heriot-Watt University and other relevant sites.

About You
You are motivated by applying scientific research to practical commercial challenges and have a strong interest in sustainable water treatment technologies. You enjoy working in interdisciplinary teams and are eager to develop both technical and project management skills. You are adaptable, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes that support business growth and environmental sustainability.

Qualifications
Essential
- A Master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate-level knowledge and experience in chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science, mechanical/process engineering, physics, water science, or a closely related discipline.

Desirable
- A PhD, MRes, MPhil or equivalent advanced research experience in relevant fields.
- Experience with electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, or chronoamperometry.
- Experience specifying and interpreting materials and surface-characterisation techniques such as SEM, EDS, XPS, or XRD.
- Knowledge of industrial water treatment, water chemistry, mineral scaling, reverse osmosis, desalination, or heat-exchange systems.
- Experience with statistical analysis, predictive modelling, data science, or software such as Python, R, or MATLAB.
- Experience developing experimental protocols, standard operating procedures, or repeatable laboratory/testing systems.
- Experience working with external laboratories, suppliers, customers, industrial partners, or multidisciplinary research teams.
- Awareness of technology commercialisation, technical sales, customer qualification, or market and business opportunity identification.