Lead Material Scientist

Pakka; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with incentives

Healthcare benefits

Work-life balance

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Pakka Ltd in Bengaluru develops sustainable, fiber-based packaging solutions. The role focuses on integrating material science, chemistry, and biology to deliver high-performance, food-safe packaging alternatives to conventional materials.

The candidate will lead R&D efforts from lab to market, driving pilot-scale validation, process optimization, and collaborations with partners and institutions to accelerate commercialization.

Qualifications

• Masters or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Biomaterials, or Fiber Science with strong R&D focus.
• Experience with molded fiber, cellulose-based packaging, or bio-based barrier materials is preferred.
• Knowledge of food-contact compliance and sustainable packaging regulations is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop natural fibers, cellulose-based materials, biopolymers, and bio-based composites for sustainable food packaging.
• Investigate processing, microstructure, morphology, and structure-property relationships to optimize strength, thermal stability, and barrier performance.
• Develop fiber formulations, bio-based additives, and processing techniques to improve performance and cost competitiveness.
• Lead lab experiments, prototyping, pilot-scale validation, and industrial scale-up for commercialization.
• Explore additive manufacturing and emerging tech to accelerate material development and manufacturing efficiency.
• Establish testing protocols ensuring safety, biodegradability, compostability, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive research projects with milestones, collaborating with internal teams and external partners to accelerate commercialization.

Skills

Fiber science

Biomaterials

Polymer chemistry

Cellulose technology

Bio-based composites

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science / Biomaterials / Fiber Science

Tools

SEM

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Tensile testing

Barrier testing

Job description

At Pakka Ltd, we are committed to sustainable innovation, creating eco-friendly packaging solutions that align with the needs of modern businesses. With over 40 years of manufacturing excellence and a strong R&D foundation, we have been revolutionizing in three major segments, namely Wrap & Carry, Food Services & Flexible packaging. Join us to shape the future of packaging and make a meaningful impact.

Mission of the Role

Develop and commercialize innovative fiber-based and biomaterial solutions for sustainable food packaging by integrating material science, chemistry, and biology to deliver high-performance, food-safe, cost-effective, and scalable alternatives to conventional packaging materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and develop advanced natural fibers, cellulose-based materials, biopolymers, and bio-based composites for sustainable food packaging applications.
• Investigate material processing, microstructure, morphology, and structure-property relationships to optimize mechanical strength, thermal stability, barrier performance, and durability.
• Develop and optimize fiber formulations, bio-based additives, and material processing techniques to enhance product performance, sustainability, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead laboratory experimentation, prototyping, pilot-scale validation, and industrial scale-up to transform material innovations into commercially viable packaging solutions.
• Explore additive manufacturing, advanced material processing, and emerging technologies to accelerate material development and improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Establish material characterization and performance testing protocols, ensuring compliance with food-contact safety, biodegradability, compostability, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Drive research projects with defined milestones while collaborating with internal teams, technology partners, suppliers, and research institutions to accelerate innovation and commercialization.

Qualifications

Master’s or Ph.D. in one of the following:

• Materials Science / Biomaterials / Fiber Science
• Polymer Science / Chemistry / Biotechnology
• Related disciplines with strong R&D focus

Experience

• Experience developing molded fiber, cellulose-based packaging, biodegradable composites, or bio-based barrier materials.
• Knowledge of food-contact compliance, compostability standards, and sustainable packaging regulations.
• Familiarity with material characterization techniques such as SEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA, tensile testing, and barrier performance evaluation.
• Experience in pilot-scale trials, process optimization, technology transfer, and industrial commercialization.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and external technology partners.

Skills

• Fiber science, biomaterials, polymer chemistry, cellulose technology, and bio-based composites.
• Material characterization, formulation development, process optimization, and lab-to-plant scale-up.
• Food packaging, sustainable materials, research collaboration, and R&D innovation.

What We Offer

This role offers the opportunity to lead innovative sustainable packaging solutions within an innovation-focused work culture, supported by state-of-the-art R&D facilities and resources.

• You will enjoy a competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• A strong focus on work-life balance.
• The position also provides ample professional development opportunities to help you grow and excel in your career.

Join us to shape the future of sustainable packaging!