Engineer, Membrane development

Ohmium Operations Private Limited; Bengaluru; Sur place; INR 900 000 - 1 400 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Ohmium Operations Private Limited in Bengaluru, India, is seeking a membrane materials scientist to lead design and development of PFSA ionomer membranes for PEM water electrolysis. You will tailor polymer architectures and optimize casting processes from lab scale to pilot production.

The role emphasizes durability, gas crossover control, and rigorous testing using FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, SAXS/WAXS, SEM/EDX, and XPS, with collaboration across functions to convert requirements into robust

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 1+ year industry experience or MSc/MTech with 3+ years in relevant field.
• Experience with electrochemical methods and membrane ionomer chemistry.
• Knowledge of PFSA ionomer chemistry and differential pressure/dynamic operation.
• Publications or patents in ion-exchange membranes preferred.

Responsabilités

• Design and develop PFSA membranes to enhance PEM electrolyzer performance.
• Balance conductivity, mechanical strength, and gas crossover.
• Characterize membranes using FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, and related techniques.
• Transfer lab processes to pilot roll-to-roll casting and define QC specs.
• Assess membrane durability under high current density and pressure.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet qualification criteria.

Connaissances

Electrochemical methods

PFSA ionomer chemistry

Membrane durability testing

Polymer membrane design

Formation

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering/Polymer Chemistry/Polymer Engineering

M.Sc./M.Tech in Polymer Science & Technology

Outils

FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, DMA, SAXS/WAXS, SEM/EDX, XPS

Roll-to-roll coating / process transfer

Description du poste

Job Description:

1. Design and develop advanced PFSA membranes by tailoring polymer architecture and membrane thickness through solution casting and coating processes to enhance PEM water electrolyzer performance and durability.

2. Develop advanced structure and composite membranes to balance conductivity, mechanical strength and gas crossover.

3. Optimize ionomer dispersions: solvent systems, equivalent weight (EW), solids content, rheology and annealing conditions.

4. Measure proton conductivity (in-plane and through-plane), IEC, water uptake, swelling, tensile and creep properties.

5. Develop and implement component-level test methodologies to evaluate and characterize membrane properties, including mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrochemical performance.

6. Run accelerated stress tests: Fenton/OCV chemical degradation, fluoride release rate, mechanical cycling and pressure-differential tests.

7. Use characterization techniques like FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, DMA, SAXS/WAXS, SEM/EDX and XPS to relate structure to performance.

8. Assess H₂/O₂ crossover and membrane behavior in single-cell and short-stack electrolyzer tests with the MEA level

9. Transfer lab processes to pilot roll-to-roll casting/coating with process engineering; define specs and QC methods.

10. Analyze the post operated MEA to identify the failure modes (Thinning, Pinholes and chemical attack etc.)

11. Qualify advanced membrane technologies through rigorous testing, reliability assessment, and performance verification under application-relevant operating conditions.

12. Develop and implement safe work practices for PFSA ionomer handling and testing.

13. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate membrane performance requirements into robust qualification plans and acceptance criteria.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED :

1. Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering/Polymer Chemistry/Polymer Engineering or a related field with 1+ years of industry experience or M.Sc./M.Tech (Polymer chemistry/Polymer science and technology) with 3+ years of industry experience

2. Experience with electrochemical methods: EIS, polarization curves, conductivity cells, gas crossover measurement.

3. Working knowledge of PFSA ionomer chemistry: EW, side-chain structure, phase-separated morphology, and degradation mechanisms is required.

4. Background in membrane durability under high differential pressure, high current density or dynamic operation is essential.

5. Exposure to hydrocarbons or PFAS-free ionomer alternatives is desired

6. Track record of peer-reviewed publications or patents in ion-exchange membranes is preferred.

Ohmium Culture :

• Accountability : I own my tasks andexecuteon time . Demonstrate strong accountability by owning deliverables and decisions, ensuring timely and consistent results.
• Teamwork : I will not let other teams fail. Takes ownership beyond own team to support cross-team success and prevent failures, thereby fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Learning Mindset : I drive change and learn from mistakes. Exhibits a strong growth mindset by proactively leading meaningful change and consistently learning from experience.
• Winning Attitude : I compete to win. Showing upevery daywith a strong perspective, to drive results and be the BEST in Green Energy.
  Responsible to develop perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer membranes for proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. This role owns membrane formulation, casting, and its component level characterization, from lab scale through pilot transfer, with a focus on durability, performance gas crossover and cost.

Ohmium is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.