Job Description

Main purpose

Puma Energy Bitumen Australia has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated scientist or engineer to join our technical team at our global technical centre in Altona North, Victoria. The successful candidate will work as part of the technical team to evaluate a range of bitumen sources, raw materials, and alternative materials for use in Australian road paving applications. The role is primarily focused on laboratory-based product development, involving bitumen formulation, blending and performance testing. This is a hands-on technical role suited to someone who enjoys practical laboratory work, problem solving and applying scientific principles to real-world products and applications. No prior experience in bitumen testing is required. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive on-the-job training and will have the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in bitumen chemistry, rheology, and road paving materials.

Key responsibilities

• Formulate, blend and test bituminous materials in accordance with relevant standard test methods;
• Evaluate a range of bitumen sources, feedstocks, and alternative raw materials for use as bitumen replacements or additives;
• Operate and maintain specialised laboratory equipment;
• Analyse experimental data and communicate results and recommendations to technical team members;
• Contribute to product development, improvement, and technical investigations;
• Perform routine quality control (QC) testing of bitumen products as required;
• Work safely and comply with all company health, safety, and environmental requirements, including participating in safety training and conducting routine laboratory safety inspections;
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe laboratory workspace;
• Contribute to the maintenance, calibration, and upkeep of laboratory equipment;

Essential selection criteria

• Tertiary qualification (BSc, MSc, or PhD) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, such as chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or civil engineering;
• Experience working in a laboratory environment, either in industry or academia;
• Strong commitment to health and safety, with the ability to safely work with hot materials, laboratory equipment, and hazardous chemicals;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail;
• Self-motivated, driven, and enthusiastic, with a willingness to learn and develop new technical skills;
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel;
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information to a range of stakeholders;
• A commercially minded approach, with an understanding of how technical projects can create value for the business and its customers.

Non-essential but highly regarded

• Theoretical understanding of rheological concepts relating to viscoelastic materials, including complex modulus and phase angle, and practical experience using dynamic shear rheometers;
• Knowledge of the chemistry and rheology of bitumen;
• Knowledge or experience within the asphalt, bitumen, or road paving industry;
• Knowledge or experience with sustainable, recycled, or renewable materials;

About Puma Energy

Puma Energy is a leading global energy business that supplies, stores and distributes petroleum products in 38 countries across six continents. Founded in 1997, Puma Energy is headquartered in Singapore and Geneva and employs more than 3,000 people globally, with regional hubs in South Africa, Puerto Rico, Australia and Estonia, and a Global Delivery Centre in Mumbai, India. Puma Energy operates a network of 63 storage terminals, more than 1,900 retail sites and a presence at over 100 airports. Our mission is to energise communities and help drive growth and prosperity by sustainably serving our customers' needs in high-potential markets around the world. Puma Energy is a subsidiary of the Trafigura Group, one of the world's leading independent commodity trading companies. Our guiding principles — We make sure everyone goes home safely, We act with honesty, and We put customers at the centre of everything we do — form the foundation of the Puma spirit and are central to our success.

About Puma Energy Bitumen Australia

Puma Energy Bitumen Australia specialises in the development, production, and supply of bituminous binders for the Australian road maintenance and construction industry. We work closely with our customers to develop products that perform under some of Australia's most diverse and demanding road conditions. Our success is driven by a combination of advanced product technology, comprehensive quality assurance programs, operational efficiency, and sophisticated production processes, supported by a highly skilled and experienced technical team. The Technical Centre in Altona North is at the heart of our product development and technical activities, providing a purpose-built environment for the evaluation of bitumen, development of new products and investigation of emerging technologies and materials.

Additional information

Puma Energy is committed to providing safe workplaces. Drug and alcohol testing forms part of the selection process. The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of their legal right to work in Australia.