About the role
Job Description: Coating R&D, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Separation and Purification
Company: Thermax Ltd.
Qualification: M.Sc. in Polymer Chemistry
Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience in laboratory-based R&D involving polymer materials, membrane technology, coatings, water and wastewater treatment, separation and purification processes, material characterization, or related technology development. Candidates with hands-on experience in experimental design, membrane fabrication, formulation development, laboratory testing, data analysis, and technology scale-up activities will be preferred.
Role Summary
Conduct hands-on laboratory R&D in water and wastewater treatment, separation and purification technologies, membrane systems, polymer/material development, coatings, formulations, and electrochemical systems. Independently plan and execute defined experiments, operate laboratory and pilot-scale equipment, analyse and interpret results, troubleshoot routine technical issues, and support technology development, scale-up, and innovation projects under the guidance of the Project Lead. Key Responsibilities- Execute laboratory experiments as per approved test plans and maintain accurate experimental records.
- Prepare polymer formulations, membranes, coatings, ion-exchange materials, electrodes, and test samples.
- Develop and evaluate MF, UF and ion-exchange membranes through membrane casting, phase inversion, coating, conditioning, and performance testing.
- Develop and optimize polymer formulations, functional coatings, membrane surface modifications, and advanced materials.
- Conduct membrane and material characterization studies for permeability, selectivity, fouling resistance, chemical compatibility, durability, and cleaning performance.
- Operate laboratory and pilot-scale systems for membrane filtration, ion exchange, adsorption, electrochemical treatment, and water purification processes.
- Conduct water and wastewater treatment studies involving membrane separation, coagulation-flocculation, adsorption, ion exchange, and related purification technologies.
- Perform water quality analysis including pH, conductivity, TDS, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, chloride, COD, BOD, TOC, and IS 10500 parameters.
- Support membrane fouling, cleaning, regeneration, and CIP studies.
- Analyse experimental data and prepare technical reports, SOPs, test procedures, presentations, and recommendations.
- Assist in pilot trials, technology scale-up, commissioning, and performance evaluation activities.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, calibration records, inventory, and safety compliance.
- Collaborate with internal teams, suppliers, and external laboratories to support R&D activities.
- Strong fundamentals in polymer chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and material science.
- Hands-on experience in membrane fabrication, polymer formulation, coatings, or water treatment R&D.
- Knowledge of membrane separation processes including MF, UF, NF, and RO.
- Understanding of ion exchange, adsorption, separation technologies, and water treatment processes.
- Proficiency in laboratory testing, data analysis, troubleshooting, and technical documentation.
- Working knowledge of MS Excel and scientific data analysis tools.
- Strong communication and reporting skills.
- Membrane casting, phase inversion, coating, and membrane characterization.
- Polymer formulation and functional coating development.
- Water and wastewater treatment process development.
- Electrochemical systems such as CDI, EDI, or electrode-based separation technologies.
- Use of analytical instruments such as FTIR, UV-Vis, HPLC, GC, SEM, TGA, or DSC.
- Pilot plant operation, scale-up studies, and process optimization.