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.