Group Lead 2 ( 82998965 )

Reliance Infrastructure; Mumbai; On-site; INR 9,000,000 - 13,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Reliance Industries Limited seeks a Group Lead – Elastomer Group to steer strategic research programs and align them with business goals. You will lead multiple teams, drive breakthrough elastomer technologies, and collaborate with internal and external partners to translate discoveries into commercial value.

The role emphasizes mentorship, rigorous experimental practices, and leadership in safety and quality standards to deliver high-impact results for the organization.

Qualifications

• PhD required with strong research leadership in polymers and elastomers.
• Experience leading large research portfolios with commercialization impact.
• Proven ability to scale technologies from concept to pilot/plant.
• Strong publication and patent track record is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee multiple elastomer research programs with end-to-end accountability.
• Drive development of innovative elastomer technologies and processes.
• Mentor senior scientists and build technical capabilities across teams.
• Collaborate with business, operations, and external partners to translate research into value.
• Ensure high-quality experimental design, data interpretation, and decision making.

Skills

Techno-commercial mindset

Strategic leadership

Polymer science knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation of publications/patents

Team mentoring

Education

PhD in Polymer Science / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Chemistry

Job description

Purpose of the Role - The Group Lead # Research Scientist is responsible for setting the strategic direction of research programs and leading multiple teams to deliver high-impact innovation aligned with business goals. The role involves driving technology development from concept to commercialization, solving complex and cross-functional challenges, and building strong technical capabilities within the organization. The individual works closely with senior leadership to shape the innovation agenda and ensure alignment with long-term business priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee multiple research programs and portfolios with end-to-end accountability
• Drive development of innovative technologies, products, or processes
• Solve complex, high-impact technical challenges across domains and functions
• Build and strengthen innovation pipelines, identifying and incubating breakthrough ideas
• Mentor, coach, and develop senior scientists
• Collaborate with business, operations, and external partners to translate research into value creation
• Ensure quality and rigor in experimental design, data interpretation, and technical decision-making
• Drive continuous improvement in research methodologies, infrastructure, and team capabilities
• Champion intellectual property creation, protection, and portfolio strategy
• Drive external collaborations with academia, startups, and industry partners
• Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory, and quality standards across research activities
• Influence investment decisions and resource allocation for research initiatives
• Present strategic insights and recommendations to executive leadership forums

Technical Accountabilities :

1. Prepare the Annual Plan with clear quantitative targets in a time-bound manners for the Elastomer Group

2. Create new future portfolios of research inaddition polymerization in Elastomer related area.

3. Lead multiple research programmes in Elastomer Group.

4. Align activities of the Elastomer Group projects with Business & Manufacturing goals for performance enhancement and operational excellence

5. Assess new programmes of Elastomer Group and learn from the multiple ongoing programmes and recommend

6. Review charter / plan for research projects of the Elastomer Group

7. Anticipate constraints / trends and review alternatives for the smooth execution of the Elastomer Group

8. Envisage need for condensation / addition polymerization facilities / projects and then plan & Execute the up gradation process.

9. Anticipate customer / business needs for business & support in technology up gradation.

10. Become "guardian" of the exploratory ideas in related areas of condensation/ addition polymerization, acquire buy-ins from different technical groups and convert into a project proposal with details justification

11. Identify external agencies for collaborative / outsourcing, arrange resources in various areas of Elastomer areas. Identify specialists and Manage multiple third party engagements

12. Coordinator for lab accreditation activity of the addition / condensation polymerization and other related areas

13. Prepare and implement all the organizational initiative in Elastomer Group

14. Critical assessment of available information and data base Approve reports generated by scientist

15. Create the opportunities for value generation different areas of Elastomers

People and Self Development

1. Develop the competency level of every team members to perform in time bound manner and contribute to the organizational goal/objectives.

2. Very clear communication based on facts are to be done with the team for a transparent data based system

3. Motivation and interpersonal relationship development with the internal and external team members to achieve excellence, provide meaningful feedback for development of the young scientist

4. Identify the training requirements of the team members for various technical and nontechnical competencies and plan for the execution

5. Conflict handling and Problem solving of the team members in more assertive way as on when required

6. Supporting Leadership with factual informations for various technical and nontechnical activities of Lab/team

7. Learning and mentoring multiple team for technical and personal improvement

8. Manage all technical conference/presentation of team for skill and competencies development

9. Ensure compliance with internal management systems (PMS, ITR, etc.) and IP

10. Decide access-control for information in one’s own area

V & B Accountabilities

1. Exhibit high RIL six values and Behaviour in all activities related to RIL

2. Enforce and motivate all team members to showhighest level of V & B during all activities of RIL at all times

3. Train and ensure highest level of V & B exhibition to all new team mates

HSEF Accountabilities

• Develop a safety culture among the teams with a frontline leadership
• Decide new methodology and safe practices to ensure 100% HSEF procedures/practises in all technical activities inside RIL Laboratories and other workplaces and review the system as on when required. Revise the system when not giving the desired results.
• Understand the local and central statuary regulations and prepare the process for 100 % compliance and ensure and monitor the implementations
• Guide and mentor behavioural safety of self and team through various innovative ideas

5. Learning and mentoring teammates for R & D HSEF Objectives and RMS requirements

• Learning and implementing the new/or upgraded management processes and mentoring of team for healthy and safe laboratory environment

Skills Required (Knowledge and Skills)

1. Techno-commercial mindset with the business acumen

2. Realistic Technical understanding of the project with timeline

3. Development of strategic area where technical expertise rarely exists/not approachable

4. Managing multiple tasks, team, projects and delivering within defined timeline.

5. Proper documentation for various technical research publication, patents.

6. Comfortable Working with cultural diverse environment

Key Attributes (Experience and Qualifications) for Group Lead – Elastomer Group

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph. D in Polymer Science / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Chemistry

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

Ø Minimum 15 years of experience in condensation/addition Polymerization

Ø Advance knowledge in Polymer characterization for micro-macro analysis

Ø In depth knowledge of Rubber compounding ingredients and various Rubber product application

Ø Profound knowledge of Composite development based on rubber and other polymers

Ø Basic Knowledge biodegradability and biopolymers

Ø Hands on experience in Bench Scale synthesis, Scale up to kg scale and Plant scale

Ø Plant trouble shooting and process support for suspension Polymerization manufacturing facility

Ø Experience of handling a team size of 5 or more

Ø Basic Knowledge of project management or stage gate process management

Ø Basic Knowledge of Budget, CAPEX execution

Education Requirement :

PhD in Engineering / Science

(e.g., Chemical, Polymer, Materials, Mechanical, Biotechnology, or related fields)

Experience Requirement :

• 15#18 years of relevant experience in research, development, or technology leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience in leading large research portfolios and delivering commercial impact
• Strong track record of technology development, scale-up, and commercialization
• Proven contributions in patents, publications, or industry-recognized innovations
• Experience in cross-functional leadership and external collaborations
• Deep technical and domain expertise with strong scientific credibility
• Proven strategic thinking and innovation leadership
• Ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and complex programs
• Strong business acumen and ability to link research to commercial outcomes
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Advanced problem-solving and decision-making capability
• Strong communication and executive presence
• Experience in building and mentoring high-performing teams
• Ability to drive collaboration across internal and external ecosystems
• Strong ownership and results orientation
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and digital transformation

Reliance is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to create a diverse working environment by providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons.