Job Title: Process Chemist
Location: Damhead Creek (with travel across UK sites)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: £44,000 - £48,000
Benefits: Pension, Private Medical, Incentive plan, 25 Holidays
About VPI
VPI is a leading power company operating in the UK, Ireland and Germany. We tackle the big, systemic challenges in the energy transition.
We bring together expertise in trading, operations and engineering to identify and anticipate challenges that will emerge as the energy transition unfolds. We then act to solve them.
Today, our portfolio includes reliable thermal power, battery storage and carbon capture projects.
Together, these assets deliver decarbonised, dispatchable, and flexible power generation to meet the needs of millions of homes and businesses.
The Role
As a Process Chemist, you'll play a crucial role in supporting the chemistry systems across VPI's fleet of Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Stations, including sites at Damhead Creek, Shoreham, and Rye House, with occasional travel to Blackburn and Immingham. You will work alongside the Lead Chemist to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of water treatment, feedwater/boiler water chemistry, and cooling water systems.
This is a hands-on role that involves troubleshooting, technical support, plant inspections, and developing best practices to ensure asset protection and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide chemical advice to operations teams to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective asset performance.
- Troubleshoot issues in water treatment processes, cycle chemistry, and cooling water chemistry.
- Manage plant preservation strategies to mitigate corrosion risks.
- Conduct inspections to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical dosing programs.
- Oversee the management of legionella control according to ACoP guidelines.
- Develop and maintain relationships with technical service providers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
- Act as a safety advisor on chemical management, COSHH, and incident response.
- Review and enhance chemistry procedures to align with industry best practices.
- Support environmental monitoring, reporting, and external body liaison.
- Assist in training production staff and contribute to plant reliability improvement projects.
What we're looking for
- Qualifications: Degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
- Experience: Practical field experience in monitoring water chemistry and strong laboratory techniques.
- In-depth knowledge of water treatment systems, instrumentation, and process chemistry.
- Familiarity with plant technical reviews, outage inspection scopes, and chemical safety practices.
- Experience working in client/operator environments with contractor oversight.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and reporting abilities.
Why Join VPI?
- Known for our ability to think and act fast using our energy intelligence, our mission is to enable the energy transition by providing the power we need today and tomorrow
- Whether you're an experienced professional or looking to grow, VPI provides structured development pathways.
- VPI offers competitive salary, pension scheme, PMI (private medical insurance), long-term incentive plan and holiday starting at 25 days plus bank holidays.
Ready to Apply?
If you are looking for a new challenge within a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation, we want to hear from you!
Apply today and help shape the future of power generation.
Rullion celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.
