Senior Researcher - Organic Synthesis

Technology Innovation Institute; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi seeks a Senior Researcher to design, synthesize, purify, and characterize organic molecules for solar PV and optoelectronic applications. You will develop new functional molecules and materials for thin films, coatings, interlayers, encapsulants, or device structures.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in a related field and at least 5 years of hands-on experience in organic synthesis, purification, and molecular characterization, with a proven track

Qualifications

• PhD in organic/materials chemistry or related field.
• Minimum 5 years R&D experience in organic synthesis and materials.
• Experience translating chemistry to practical molecules and devices.
• Strong hands-on synthesis, purification, and characterization.
• Experience with optoelectronic materials for PV or related tech.
• Ability to work safely in a chemistry lab.
• Excellent communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and synthesis of target molecules for PV applications.
• Develop singlet‑fission based materials for spectral down-conversion and photon-multiplication.
• Purification and structural characterization using NMR, MS, FTIR, UV-Vis, PL, HPLC, GPC, etc.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Molecular design

Characterization

OPV/photovoltaics

Singlet fission

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

PhD in Materials Chemistry or related field

Tools

NMR

MS

FTIR

UV-Vis

HPLC

GPC

Job description

We are looking for an experienced, motivated, and technically proficient Senior Researcher to contribute to the design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of organic molecules for solar PV and optoelectronic applications. This person will be responsible for developing new functional molecules and materials that can be integrated into thin films, coatings, interlayers, encapsulants, photon-conversion layers, or device structures. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in organic synthesis, molecular characterization, and structure-property relationship development for optoelectronic or energy-related materials.

We are looking for someone who is deeply curious about why materials and processes behave as they do and energized by turning that understanding into useful solutions. They will be self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and comfortable challenging assumptions, crossing disciplinary boundaries, and spotting connections that create new technical or commercial opportunities. They will welcome difficult problems, learn quickly, and persist through uncertainty while working constructively with others.

You will be able to work effectively within a team and/or on your own, maintaining a positive, constructive attitude even in times of pressure or when deadlines loom. Your teammates will quickly recognize you as a highly motivated deliverer, a knowledgeable practical researcher of very high worth to them and the wider company.

For our part, we will provide the environment, tools and resources (and challenges and pressure!) to allow you to demonstrate that you are that person.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the design and synthesis of target molecules for solar PV and optoelectronic applications including absorbers, emitters, stabilizers, self-assembly molecules, charge transport materials, photon-conversion materials, or functional additives for PV applications.
• Design and develop singlet‑fission-based spectral down‑conversion and photon‑multiplication materials that convert one high‑energy singlet excitation into two lower‑energy triplet excitations, and collaborate on triplet‑harvesting architectures to improve solar‑spectrum utilization.
• Conduct purification and structural characterization using techniques such as NMR, MS, FTIR, UV-Vis, PL, HPLC, GPC, and elemental analysis.
• Evaluate molecular properties relevant to PV applications, including optical absorption, emission, solubility, thermal stability, photostability, and compatibility with host materials.
• Work with simulation scientists to select molecular structures based on predicted electronic, optical, and stability properties.
• Work with process and device teams to integrate synthesized materials into thin films, coatings, encapsulants, interlayers, formulations, or test devices.
• Support formulation development, film formation, solvent selection, polymer/additive compatibility, and process compatibility studies.
• Establish clear structure-property-performance relationships and provide molecular design recommendations to the broader team.
• Maintain accurate lab notebooks, safety documentation, material inventory, and experimental records.
• Write technical reports, draft patent applications, and present results to internal and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 5 years of R&D experience in organic synthesis, molecular design, materials chemistry, or optoelectronic materials development, preferably in an industrial R&D environment, for example, within specialty chemicals, advanced materials, optoelectronics, solar energy, or a related technology sector.
• Experience contributing to product or technology development, with an understanding of how a molecular or materials concept progresses from laboratory synthesis and validation through scale‑up, qualification, integration, and deployment.
• Demonstrated commitment to applying chemistry and materials science to real‑world solutions, with evidence of translating research into practical molecules, formulations, processes, prototypes, devices, or measurable technology outcomes.
• Strong hands‑on experience in organic synthesis, purification, and molecular characterization.
• Experience designing or synthesizing molecules for optoelectronic, photonic, semiconductor, solar PV, or energy‑related applications.
• Strong understanding of molecular structure-property relationships and how molecular structure affects absorption, emission, stability, solubility, and processability.
• Experience with characterization tools such as NMR, MS, FTIR, UV-Vis, PL, HPLC, or related analytical techniques.
• Ability to work safely, independently, and effectively in a chemistry laboratory.
• Experience translating material concepts into experimentally testable molecules and formulations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and adapt quickly under pressure.
• A proactive and can‑do attitude with excellent work ethic, and a strong passion for research and innovation.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to quickly learn new techniques and processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Detail‑oriented and able to work independently while also collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of solar PV device structures, encapsulation materials, or thin film processing would be useful.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with organic molecules for solar PV, OLED, OPV, perovskite PV, sensors, photodetectors, UV absorbers, luminescent materials, or charge transport materials.
• Experience with photophysical characterization, including photoluminescence, quantum yield, lifetime, or photostability testing.
• Experience with singlet fission, triplet sensitization or harvesting, exciton dynamics, and the molecular design and photophysical characterization of spectral conversion or photon‑multiplication materials.
• Experience with materials formulation, polymer/additive compatibility, thin film coating, or encapsulation materials.
• Familiarity with scale‑up considerations, reproducibility, material purity, process compatibility, and IP generation.
• Track record of publications, patents, or technology development in organic optoelectronic materials.