Lead Principal Scientist PSM

Principal Scientist – Performance & Specialty Materials (PSM)

Level: 5
Qualification: Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry with Postdoctoral Research Experience
Experience: 1-3 Years (CRO/CDMO Industry Experience is preferred)

Role Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Principal Scientist to join the Performance & Specialty Materials (PSM) team. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, process development, and scale-up, coupled with a passion for solving complex scientific challenges. The role requires hands-on laboratory involvement, customer engagement, project leadership, and mentoring of junior scientists while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and data integrity standards.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership & Project Execution

• Lead and execute multiple polymer research and development projects within challenging timelines.
• Design, plan, and conduct experiments for polymer synthesis, process development, optimization, and scale-up.
• Develop expertise in advanced polymerization techniques, including anionic, cationic, controlled radical polymerization (CRP), and RAFT polymerization, and apply them to customer projects.
• Perform hands-on synthesis and characterization of polymers, including air-, moisture-, and light-sensitive reactions.
• Drive innovation through literature review, ideation, proof-of-concept studies, and technology assessment.

Polymer Development & Scale-Up

• Develop robust and scalable polymer manufacturing processes.
• Support technology transfer from laboratory to kilo-lab, pilot plant, and commercial manufacturing.
• Contribute to process troubleshooting, optimization, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Experience in functionalized polymers for bioconjugation and biomedical applications will be an added advantage.
• Understanding of Enzyme/drug/protein conjugation with functionalized polymer is desirable.

Customer & Business Engagement

• Interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders to understand project requirements and deliver solutions.
• Prepare technical proposals, project plans, progress reports, and final technical reports.
• Present project updates and scientific findings to customers and internal leadership teams.

Team Development & Laboratory Management

• Mentor, coach, and train junior scientists in polymer synthesis, analytical techniques, and laboratory best practices.
• Manage day-to-day laboratory operations, including planning, documentation, resource utilization, and compliance.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Facilitate the integrated drug development (IDD) programs across different verticals

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure strict adherence to Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHSS) requirements with 100% compliance.
• Maintain accurate and compliant documentation in accordance with data integrity and quality guidelines.
• Complete all mandatory LMS, classroom, and on-the-job training requirements within stipulated timelines.
• Adhere to all company policies related to Data Integrity, Quality, and Regulatory Compliance.

Technical Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry with relevant postdoctoral research experience.
• Strong R&D experience in polymer synthesis and related materials science disciplines.
• Hands-on expertise in polymerization techniques and polymer process development.
• Proficiency in polymer characterization and analytical techniques.
• Experience handling air-, moisture-, and light-sensitive reactions.
• Excellent experimental design, problem-solving, and laboratory execution skills.
• Strong scientific writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience in anionic, cationic, RAFT, CRP, and other controlled polymerization methodologies.
• Expertise in functionalized polymers, bioconjugation chemistry, and biomedical polymer applications.
• Experience in process scale-up, technology transfer, kilo-lab, and pilot plant operations.
• Knowledge of cGMP requirements and quality systems.
• Experience in polymer processing techniques and industrial-scale polymer manufacturing.

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrated leadership and project management capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and customer-facing experience.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior scientific talent.
• Excellent collaboration and cross-functional teamwork skills.

Location: Bengaluru
Function: Performance & Specialty Materials (PSM)
Reporting To: Associate Director / Group Leader/ Head, PSM

This role offers an opportunity to work on cutting-edge polymer science projects, translate innovative chemistry into scalable solutions, and contribute to the growth of advanced materials technologies.