Lead - Research & Development - Water/Effluent Treatment Business - PhD

Lead - Research & Development

Job Description:

Water & Effluent Treatment (WET-IC) business takes pride in offering complete water solution while quenching thirst and providing safe drinking water for millions of people. WET IC is the leader in building comprehensive infrastructure solutions including design, detailed engineering, procurement, project management and execution that cover

- urban & rural water supply,

- water treatment plants,

- smart water management / Non-Revenue Water,

- industrial water supply and treatment plants for recycling / re-use,

- wastewater treatment and network,

- sludge management,

- lift irrigation projects,

- desalination plants,

- utility infrastructure for developing greenfield and brownfield smart cities

A fiscally sound approach to projects, proven project management skills, regionwide operational presence and experience & expertise of over many decades, have made MNC WET IC as the leader both in India and other parts of the world.

MNC WET ICs Water Technology Center (WTC) is the state-of-the art facility for cutting-edge research in Water industry at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The facility is equipped with R&D labs, digital center and knowledge hub. Sophisticated analytical labs, labs for system prototyping and a separate piloting facility uniquely positions WTC to undertake and solve critical research problems which are of concerns to both society and industry.

The facility is also equipped to get the real-time data across the customer base to monitor and control customers asset online. The knowledge hub is a novel platform designed to promote seamless interaction between WTC and best of the academic and research institutions across the globe. With the vision of MNCs leadership to spearhead the research, WTC is well equipped to connect, technovate and transform water practices.

The JD below is for the position of Lead of R&D with at least 15 years of experience in industrial research or solution development in water.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated professional with a Ph.D. or advanced degree to lead the R&D team at the Water Technology Centre (WTC) as the Lead of R&D. The role involves driving innovative solutions aligned with WET-ICs focus areas by leveraging business insights, market intelligence, and both external technologies and organic development.

The candidate must possess a strong understanding of water industry trends, the ability to develop strategies for emerging and start-up technologies, and expertise in evaluating and bridging gaps in external solutions.

As a leader, the candidate will guide a high-performing team in developing products solutions / technologies based on advanced technologies, conducting experiments to derive process phenomena, and troubleshooting field challenges. Responsibilities include overseeing technology benchmarking, proof-of-concept validation, piloting, and real-world implementation, while collaborating with global research organizations and academic institutions.

The candidate should have substantial experience in water research, expertise in end-to-end technology development, and strong leadership skills to inspire and guide the team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of water technology through strategic innovation and impactful research.

Responsibilities:

- Systematic management of projects focusing on futuristic technologies in water right from conceptualization to commissioning, which would include the full cycle on developing prototypes, tests in the labs, piloting the solution before the full-scale field deployment

- Understanding the readily available external technologies and start-ups, assessing efficacy conceptually as well as by proto-typing, addressing the gaps through internal research before full-scale deployment

- Systematic scouting of evolving / disruptive technologies in the market while working on various information sources

- Ensuring closer collaborations with the different business verticals and O&M teams including timely troubleshooting of issues in the field through detailed and systematic assessment studies in the lab

- Giving recommendations to businesses on viability of flow-sheets and potential challenges post commissioning

- Provide technical expertise and support during tender, commissioning, construction, and operation phases.

- Good understanding on use of tools for designing or simulating of water projects.

- Leveraging these tools to improve technology, trouble shoot issues in the plants and identify scope for improvement

- Collaborate with governmental agencies, start-ups and research institutions to understand future trends in the market, potential disruptions and develop strategic execution roadmap.

- Stay up to date with relevant industry trends, codes, regulations, and advancements in water research.

- Keep the team fully motivated by being a strong mentor, guide and a role model

- Education: M.Tech / M.E in Chemical Engineering or Environmental Engineering with PhD or PDF

- Experience: Minimum of 20 to 25 years of experience in Industry

- Expectations: Fluent communication skills, excellent presentation skills, deep expertise in at least one of the areas in water, good leadership skills and analytical skills

- Publication: Candidate must have at least 5 publications in peer reviewed journals with high IFs and patents as a lead or co-inventor or at least one chapter in a book as a lead or co-author will be considered as additional indicators

- Good to have: Digital knowledge, simulation skills, programming skills, trained in one or a few of Triz, Lean Six-Sigma, SIT, CPS etc, good engineering skills

- Posting: Water Technology Center, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu