Research Assistant

Proto9 Materials; Mumbai; On-site; INR 500,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Proto9 Materials is seeking a Textile R&D professional to drive research on nonwoven materials, sustainable fibres, and polymer-based products in a hands-on lab environment in Mumbai. You will participate in scale-up of manufacturing processes and develop nano-additives for textile applications.

Ideal candidates hold a related engineering/science degree and have 1–3 years of experience in textile R&D with strong workmanship, curiosity, and meticulous documentation skills.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years R&D experience in a textile manufacturing environment.
• Interest in innovation and applied research.
• Strong scientific curiosity and willingness to learn new technologies.
• Self-motivated with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple research projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of laboratory practice, documentation, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Conduct R&D on nonwoven materials and sustainable fibres.
• Support development and scale-up of nonwoven manufacturing processes.
• Develop nanomaterials and nano-additives for textile applications.
• Assist polymer processing including melt spinning and fibre formation.
• Prepare dope solutions for regenerated cellulose fibre development.
• Carry out lab experiments, sample prep, and pilot-scale activities.
• Assist in industry trials for textile products.
• Perform material testing per ASTM/ISO/BIS standards.
• Maintain lab records and technical documentation.
• Analyze data, prepare reports, and present results to the project team.
• Conduct literature reviews, patent searches and benchmark studies.
• Assist in preparing technical presentations, reports, and grant proposals.
• Ensure laboratory safety and quality management compliance.

Skills

Textile R&D

Lab skills

Data analysis

Documentation

Project management

Education

Engineering/Science degree in textiles/polymers

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI-assisted research tools

Literature databases

Statistical analysis software

Job description

Job Description

• Conduct research and development on nonwoven materials, technical textiles, sustainable fibres, and polymer-based products.
• Support the development, optimisation, and scale-up of nonwoven manufacturing processes including needle punching, thermal bonding, and other web formation technologies.
• Develop and formulate functional nanomaterials and nano-additives for textile and polymer applications, including antimicrobial, anti-odour, UV protection, flame retardancy, etc.
• Assist in melt spinning and wet spinning process development, including polymer preparation, process parameter optimization, fiber formation, and product evaluation.
• Prepare, optimize, and characterize spinnable cellulose dope solutions for regenerated cellulose fiber development.
• Carry out laboratory experiments, sample preparation, process trials, and pilot-scale production activities.
• Assist in the execution of successful industry trials for various textile products.
• Perform characterization of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products using appropriate analytical and testing techniques.
• Conduct textile material testing and analyses results in accordance with relevant ASTM, ISO, BIS, AATCC, or other applicable standards.
• Maintain laboratory records, experimental notebooks, calibration records, and technical documentation in accordance with R&D best practices.
• Analyses experimental data, prepare technical reports, summarize research findings, and present results to the project team.
• Conduct literature reviews, patent searches, and technology benchmarking to support ongoing research projects.
• Assist in preparing technical presentations, project reports, research papers, patent disclosures, grant proposals, and client documentation.
• Ensure laboratory safety, housekeeping, and compliance with quality management procedures.

Qualification and Job Specification

• B.Tech./ M.Tech. /M.Sc. in Textile Technology, Fibre Science, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, textile chemistry, Manmade Textile Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Candidates with research or industrial experience in nonwovens, advanced fibres, polymers, or technical textiles will be preferred.

Essential skills:

• Proven experience (1-3 years) in a research and product development role within a textile manufacturing environment,
• Passion for innovation and applied research.
• Strong scientific curiosity and willingness to learn new technologies.
• Self-motivated with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple research projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of laboratory practice, documentation, and quality.

Preferable skills:

• Microsoft office.
• AI-assisted research and productivity tools.
• Scientific literature databases and reference management software.
• Statistical analysis software.