Catalysis Research Scientist

Manastu Space; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Manastu Space in Navi Mumbai invites a PhD-level scientist to lead catalyst development for H2O2-based monopropellant thrusters. You will design experiments, interpret results, and guide the team toward robust catalyst processes aligned with the project goals.

Key activities include material synthesis, extensive characterization (XRD, XPS, ICP, SEM/TEM, BET), data analysis, QA/QC protocols, and preparing technical documents, papers, and potential patents while mentoring colleagues.

Qualifications

• PhD in heterogeneous catalysis with at least 2-year industrial catalyst development experience.
• Strong background in reaction kinetics, solid state physics, and surface chemistry.
• Experience in precious metal-based catalysts on base materials.
• Experience in failure analysis (FMEA/RCA).
• Familiarity with DFT, COSMOL, MATLAB, etc.
• Strong publication record (patents, papers, conferences).

Responsibilities

• Catalyst material preparation and design for high temp/pressure thruster environments.
• Characterization result interpretation to guide catalyst development.
• Develop and establish QC/QA standards and process docs.
• Mentor the R&D team with brainstorming and root cause analysis.
• Build catalyst beds for fixed-bed reactors and model reaction mechanisms.
• Prepare technical documents, papers, and potential patents.

Skills

Catalyst synthesis

Catalyst characterization

Data analysis

Team mentoring

Experiment design

Root Cause Analysis

DOE

QA/QC

Education

PhD in heterogeneous catalysis

Tools

XRD

XPS

ICP

SEM

TEM

BET

MATLAB

DFT

COSMOL

Job description

Role Objective

To support and take lead in the research and development and standardization of catalyst material used for the H2O2 based monopropellant used in thrusters. The role focuses on developing the understanding in catalyst material (base material and active material), develop the relation between materials physical and chemical property to its final decomposition behavior in the thruster and its performance parameters.

Role Overview

The scientist will primarily be setting up experiments and using the characterization results to understand and design the catalyst material and guide the team towards achieving the same objective. The developmental part will include but not limited to establishing process for catalyst preparation and studying it, developing the root cause tree for the developed processes, establishing the standards that are needed for the QC of the processes, establishing the protocols for the QA of the process. The scientist is expected to guide the team in the associated R&D activity via active mentoring, having group discussions like brainstorming, root cause analysis, etc.

Key Responsibilities

• Catalyst material preparation: Designing the catalyst support and experimenting focused on building a catalyst support with required properties to withstand the high temperature and pressure combustion reaction in the thruster.
• Material characterization: Experience in interpretation of the characterization results such as XRD, XPS, ICP, SEM, TEM, BET, PSA etc. to infer insights to develop catalyst for the final application.
• Material characterization: Hands on experience in operating the above characterization tools is preferred.
• Material characterization: Having experience in software like MATLAB, MINITAB, COSMOL, DFT and Monte Carlo etc. will be an add-on.
• Material characterization: Proficiency and interest in understanding the materials suitability for an application using characterization techniques.
• Material characterization: Experience in utilizing characterization tools to understand the material failure points.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Compile the experimentation and characterization results and draw meaningful conclusions to drive research objectives.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Compile and organize experimental data, prepare comprehensive reports, and present findings to the research team.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Contribute to the preparation of technical documents, research papers, patents, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Building and maintaining the library for the standard needed for the preparation and characterization of the catalyst material.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Experience in compiling data usable for failure mode analysis.
• Lab management and safety: Adhere to laboratory safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Lab management and safety: Assist in the procurement and organization of materials, chemicals, and equipment necessary for experiments.
• Lab management and safety: Taking care of instruments, maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and validation based on schedule.
• Other skills: Having the mindset to do independent R&D, as well as sharing the responsibility with team and carrying out the things as a unit.
• Other skills: Willing to lead a group of people towards a common objective.
• Other skills: Experience in developing catalyst beds for fixed bed reactors.
• Other skills: Proficiency in reaction mechanisms, reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, degradation models, etc.
• Other skills: Proficiency in Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, and any other failure analysis.
• Other skills: Proficiency in Design of Experiments to reduce the experimental iteration smartly.
• Other skills: Experience in establishing preparation process for a material and QA/QC for the same.
• Other skills: Creating a mathematical model to understand the reaction happening in the catalyst bed.
• Other skills: Interest in seeing the problems from first principles, interdisciplinary thinking, requirement-based thinking, etc.

Experience & Background

• PhD in heterogeneous catalysis with at least 2-year experience in developing catalyst material for an application in an industry.
• Strong background in reaction kinetics, solid state physics, and surface chemistry.
• Experience in developing precious metal-based catalysts supported on a base material.
• Experience in failure analysis like FMEA, RCA, etc.
• Familiarity with DFT, COSMOL, MATLAB, etc.
• Strong publishing records such as patents, research papers and conferences
• Candidate should be capable of working in a timeline driven, result-oriented, and fast-paced environment.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• The ideal candidate would be someone who is interested in doing experiments and analysis to build an understanding of the material that is being developed for an application. They should be someone who:
• Is a highly driven experimental scientist with a deep interest in understanding the materials via first principles.
• Is highly motivated to align the R&D with the application requirement
• Can co-relate and trace back the application requirements to the material property
• Is motivated towards guiding discussion and planning towards more logical and oriented towards application requirements
• Is interested in developing strategies, models, engineering guidelines to improve the lifetime and the efficiency of the catalyst

What Success Looks Like in this role

• Develops good logical co-relation between the material property and its behavior in the thrusters.
• Builds models to understand the material behavior in the intended operational conditions of the application.
• Builds the analysis protocol to understand the material properties through characterization tools.
• Strengthens the catalyst preparation process by incorporating engineering guidelines and QC standards.
• Delivers high quality outcomes with scientific rigor
• Applies a problem-solving mindset in discussions and planning.
• Mentors or guides the team towards the development objectives, process standards, and professional development.
• Improve himself and the people working with.

If you are motivated by building enduring technical institutions and solving complex hiring challenges at scale, we would like to hear from you.