Research Scientist, Hygiene - Preservation

Job description

About Unilever:

Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that strive to improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us every day. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best.

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!

We are looking to hire a Research Scientist, Hygiene - Preservation in our HC R&D S&T Hygiene team based in Unilever R&D Bangalore.

Tasks to be Handled:

Hygiene has undergone a big reset; consumers demand Multifunctional Hygiene. Consumers are proactively seeking hygiene products that provide multifunctional benefits and have a harmonious relationship with the environment.

The Homecare Hygiene Science and Technology program is about envisioning and reimagining hygiene, health, and wellness for the future. It encompasses diverse workstreams, cutting edge capabilities and an enabling ecosystem to land disruptive and clean future innovations in the market and to build the Hygiene Powerhouse.

One of the key focuses is to reassure consumers that our product is efficacious without harmful chemicals and preservatives. This approach focuses on new ‘hygiene actives combinations’ that matches the hygiene and preservative performance of golden standards like Bleach and Isothiazolinone, respectively.

One of the most critical product safety parameters to ensure safe deliver of products is the avoidance of microbial contamination throughout the product lifecycle. Today this is managed primarily through effective chemical preservation strategies linked to good manufacturing practices. However, with increasing pressure on current chemical preservatives, there is a requirement to expand our portfolio with agile, future fit preservation options.

This role will be responsible to build Clean Future aligned Preservatives systems. Knowledge on multifunctional hygiene actives/preservatives, surfactants and formulation design principles are preferred. The role will need to build an in-depth understanding of hygiene formulation ingredients and come up with disruptive routes to deliver superior hygiene benefits with alternate preservatives. The role will also be responsible to strengthen academic partnerships to build new science areas and strengthen future fit capabilities in preservation. Leveraging external contract research organizations and 3P analytical partners to bring in innovation speed and agility will be key part of this role.

Fields of Responsibility:

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Create a funnel of antimicrobial / preservative chemistries with technical specifications to highlight formulation compatibility parameters. Synergistic combination of actives to meet the performance of golden standards like Isothiazolinone (IT), Phenoxyethanol (POE).  

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Consolidate formulation expertise to guide formulation exploration program design, and evolution of program design on completion of experimental design across Home Care.

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Deliver technical knowledge to guide formulation space, providing deep understanding of formulation ingredients, parameters for exploration and knowledge of formulation / technology strategy to ensure experimental designs are future fit.

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Manage the prototype development program, and team delivering those prototypes, for Home Care categories, ensuring robust sample development and the appropriate coordination and phasing of sample development and delivery.

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Interface with Global Preservation Team, Global Design teams, Digital R&D, SEAC, Regulatory & prototype development team to ensure an aligned program is in place.

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Manage external contract research organizations to make formulation prototypes and 3P analytical partners to carry out efficacy testing. Manage Open Innovation Resource Sharing model to deliver innovation with speed.

Other Relevant Information Having Information Having a Bearing on the Job:

This role will be responsible to strengthen hygiene/preservation capability in Unilever and bring in competitive advantage.

Environment:

The role is mainly focused on managing both (i) external partners and (ii) internal stakeholders.

Problem Solving:

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In this role, technical skills on formulation development and next gen alternative preservation will be required. This will encompass understanding of various formulation chassis across Home Care, incorporate future fit technologies and create new disruptive innovations that bring in competitive edge.

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High degree on problem solving skills will be required for this job. There are various dimensions of technical problems to be solved, and the incumbent needs to work together with Global Design teams, Global preservation team, procurement, SEAC, Regs and legal functions to provide solutions/claims support. The incumbent needs to have a strong influencing skills and stakeholder management skills.

· 
Working external partners to deliver project goals will be key

Resource to be Managed Under your Authority:

Interact with 3P / external partners, external resources.

Personal Profile:

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M.Sc./M.Tech./Ph.D. in Chemistry/Chem Eng with an experience in HC formulations

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Experience in surfactant sciences, product rheology, water activity, partition coefficient of actives will be preferred

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2-3 years of experience in handling HC formulations

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Experience working academic partners, external R&D labs preferred

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Strong scientific and technical curiosity with an entrepreneurial mindset

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Ability to work autonomously in situations of ambiguity

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Ability to challenge, persuade and motivate teams to think differently and embrace different ways of working.

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Comfortable with working on several diverse technology fronts at once.

· 
Strong technical writing skill, verbal communication skill