R&D Manager | Paper/Polymer Specialty Chemicals

Michael Page; Andhra Pradesh; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page in India seeks an experienced R&D scientist with 7+ years in polymer/paper chemical solutions. You will lead end-to-end product development from concept through scale-up and commercialization, coordinating with production, QC, and sales to meet customer needs.

Strong analytical skills using FTIR, GPC, HPLC, NMR, UV, and rheology are essential. The successful candidate will mentor junior scientists, uphold safety and quality, and drive cost optimization and performance improvements

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant industrial R&D experience with a strong chemistry background (Ph.D./M.Sc.).
• Exposure to the complete product development lifecycle, from concept through laboratory validation, mill trials, and commercialization.
• Worked with polymer/specialty chemicals - flocculants, coagulants, sludge-treatment chemicals or polymer applications (OR) paper/pulp chemicals - binders, additives, sizing chemicals or retention aids.

Responsibilities

• Leading end-to-end R&D and product development activities for polymer or paper chemical solutions, including synthesis, formulation, evaluation, optimization, scale-up, plant trials, and commercialization.
• Designing and executing laboratory programs, analyze chemical and performance data using advanced analytical techniques (FTIR, GPC, HPLC, NMR, UV, Rheology).
• Collaborating closely with Production, QC, Application, Sales, and Customer Technical teams to support product validation, scale-up, and customer requirements.
• Driving product benchmarking, cost optimization, and performance improvement versus market alternatives.
• Preparing and reviewing technical reports, SOPs, specifications, for internal and customer use.
• Mentoring junior scientists while ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and R&D best practices.

Skills

R&D leadership

Polymer chemistry

Analytical techniques

Cross-functional

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D./M.Sc.

Tools

FTIR

GPC

HPLC

NMR

UV

Rheology

Job description

• 7+ yrs of industrial R&D experience in Polymer/Paper based specialty chemicals
• Experience in dispersants, binders, strength aids or flocculants, coagulants

About Our Client

The hiring organization is a global MNC within the specialty chemical industry. They focus on creating high-quality products for diverse Industrial applications including paper and polymer specialty chemicals.

Job Description

• Leading end-to-end R&D and product development activities for polymer or paper chemical solutions, including synthesis, formulation, evaluation, optimization, scale-up, plant trials, and commercialization.
• Designing and executing laboratory programs, analyze chemical and performance data using advanced analytical techniques (FTIR, GPC, HPLC, NMR, UV, Rheology).
• Collaborating closely with Production, QC, Application, Sales, and Customer Technical teams to support product validation, scale-up, and customer requirements.
• Driving product benchmarking, cost optimization, and performance improvement versus market alternatives.
• Preparing and reviewing technical reports, SOPs, specifications, for internal and customer use.
• Mentoring junior scientists while ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and R&D best practices.

The Successful Applicant

We're looking for someone who has:

• 7+ years of relevant industrial R&D experience with a strong chemistry background (Ph.D./M.Sc.)
• Exposure to the complete product development lifecycle, from concept through laboratory validation, mill trials, and commercialization
• Worked with polymer/specialty chemicals - flocculants, coagulants, sludge-treatment chemicals or polymer applications (OR) worked with paper/pulp chemicals - binders, additives, sizing chemicals or retention aids

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary package within the speciality chemicals space
• Leadership opportunity to work on innovative products in a state-of-the-art facility