Senior R&D Scientist

Client of NicheHR Global

Our client is seeking a Senior R&D Scientist who can lead the design, synthesis, scale-up, and commercialization of high-performance azo pigments, focusing on innovation, cost optimization, and industrialization for applications in coatings, plastics, inks, and related sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize new azo pigments, intermediates, and related organic molecules (monoazo, disazo, heterocyclic systems)

• Develop high-performance pigments with enhanced properties including shade strength, brightness, dispersion, rheology, and heat, light, and weather fastness

• Develop new applications for existing pigment products across coatings, plastics, and inks

Synthetic Route Design & Optimization

• Design cost-effective and scalable synthetic routes for dyes, pigments, and intermediates

• Develop key intermediates in-house to optimize value and supply chain

• Optimize reaction parameters to meet quality, yield, and cost targets

• Execute hands-on synthesis including diazotization, coupling, heterocyclic synthesis, and purification techniques (distillation, crystallization, chromatography)

Scale-Up & Commercialization

• Lead lab-to-pilot-to-plant scale-up of new products

• Validate processes in collaboration with Production and Engineering teams

• Ensure successful technology transfer to manufacturing

• Support commercialization of new pigments and processes

Plant Support & Troubleshooting

• Provide real-time technical support to resolve manufacturing deviations

• Analyze root causes for issues related to particle size distribution, filtration, drying, and batch consistency

• Propose and implement corrective and preventive actions

Innovation & Process Development

• Conduct literature surveys and patent reviews to identify new technologies

• Develop innovative and sustainable solutions to improve cost, performance, and environmental footprint

• Drive continuous improvement and process intensification initiatives

Analytical & Characterization

• Characterize products using spectroscopy (UV-Vis, IR, NMR), chromatography (HPLC, GC), and particle size analysis

• Interpret analytical data to guide R&D decisions

Project & Team Leadership

• Lead multiple R&D projects from concept to commercialization

• Mentor junior chemists and guide technical teams

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Quality Assurance, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain comprehensive lab records, standard operating procedures, and technical documentation

• Support audits and regulatory compliance

• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental protocols