Research Scientist - Sustainable Membranes

New York University seeks a Research Scientist - Sustainable Membranes in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The role requires a PhD with 6+ years of research experience, focusing on advanced membrane materials for water purification and desalination. Responsibilities include leading research, managing projects, collaborating with researchers, and publishing findings. The position involves experimental work on antifouling membranes and sustainable separation processes, contributing to innovation in water treatment.
Research Scientist - Sustainable Membranes Job Snapshot Role: Research Scientist - Sustainable Membranes Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Industry: Higher Education Function: Research Experience: PhD with at least 6 years post-PhD research experience Job Type: Full-time Position Overview Research Scientist - Sustainable Membranes in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a senior Higher Education research opportunity focused on functionalized membrane materials, desalination, water purification, antifouling ultrafiltration membranes, antibacterial nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis technologies. This role is designed for an experienced PhD-qualified researcher who can lead advanced experimental work, manage multidisciplinary research activities, publish high-quality findings, and contribute to sustainable water treatment innovation at New York University Abu Dhabi. Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Abu Dhabi Industry: Higher Education Function: Research Salary: 22000-36000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time Role Context The Research Scientist - Sustainable Membranes will work within the Division of Engineering under the supervision of Professor Nidal Hilal, Director of the Water Research Center and Global Professor of Engineering. The position focuses on developing advanced functionalized membrane materials that improve desalination and water purification performance through sustainable separation processes. The selected researcher will manage project activities, work closely with postdoctoral researchers, collaborate with PhD-level scientists and engineers, support graduate and undergraduate researchers, and contribute to research proposals, patents, publications, and international conference presentations. Key Responsibilities * Lead research on sustainable functionalized membranes for desalination, sewage water treatment, and water purification. * Develop antifouling hybrid ultrafiltration membranes and antibacterial nanofiltration or reverse osmosis membranes. * Explore advanced membrane fabrication techniques to improve separation performance, durability, and sustainability. * Use characterization tools such as SEM, AFM, Raman, TEM, DSC, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and BET to evaluate membrane materials and nanomaterials. * Correlate fabrication methods, membrane structure, material properties, and performance outcomes. * Assess antibacterial and antibiofouling properties of nanomaterials and diversified sustainable membranes. * Conduct experimental research involving environmental chemistry, water treatment, membrane fabrication, and separation processes. * Manage project planning, technical execution, timelines, documentation, and research deliverables. * Work closely with postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduate students, scientists, and engineers in a multidisciplinary setting. * Develop novel research concepts and contribute to competitive research proposal writing. * Solve complex research problems with technical efficiency, creativity, and scientific rigor. * Prepare progress reports, peer-reviewed publications, patent drafts, technical summaries, and conference presentations. * Support life cycle assessment activities related to sustainable membrane technologies and water treatment systems. * Maintain accurate laboratory records, experimental data, characterization results, and research documentation. * Contribute to a collaborative research environment while working independently on advanced technical objectives. Ideal Profile * PhD in materials science and engineering, environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field. * At least 6 years of relevant post-PhD research experience. * Strong publication record in well-known journals, conference papers, or equivalent research accomplishments. * Extensive research background in sustainable membranes, membrane fabrication, desalination, water purification, or separation processes. * Strong expertise in assessing antibacterial and antibiofouling properties of nanomaterials and membranes. * Analytical characterization skills using SEM, AFM, Raman, TEM, DSC, XRD, FTIR, TGA, BET, or related tools. * Excellent experimental ability in membrane materials, nanomaterials, environmental chemistry, and water treatment research. * Experience with sewage water treatment and life cycle assessment is highly valuable. * Ability to manage research projects and work closely with postdoctoral researchers and multidisciplinary teams. * Strong scientific writing skills for publications, proposals, progress reports, patents, and presentations. * Detail-oriented, well-organized, and capable of solving complex problems independently. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Ability to submit required application documents, including cover letter, curriculum vitae, one-page research accomplishment and interest summary, transcript or degree, and at least two references. Skills Set * Sustainable membrane materials * Functionalized membranes * Desalination research * Water purification * Water treatment * Sewage water treatment * Ultrafiltration membranes * Nanofiltration membranes * Reverse osmosis membranes * Antifouling membranes * Antibacterial nanomaterials * Antibiofouling assessment * Membrane fabrication * Separation processes * Environmental chemistry * Materials science * Chemical engineering research * SEM characterization * AFM characterization * Raman spectroscopy * TEM analysis * DSC analysis * XRD analysis * FTIR analysis * TGA analysis * BET analysis * Life cycle assessment * Research proposal writing * Patent drafting * Peer-reviewed publication writing * Conference presentation * Project management Why Join Us This position offers a strong platform for a Research Scientist - Sustainable Membranes who wants to contribute to high-impact water research in Abu Dhabi while working on technologies connected to desalination, sustainability, environmental engineering, and advanced material performance. The role provides a competitive employment package, housing support, educational subsidies for children, a renewable two-year contract beginning in September 2026, and the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary academic research environment. It is an excellent opportunity for a senior researcher seeking to develop sustainable membrane solutions, publish influential research, and support innovation in global water treatment. About the Company New York University Abu Dhabi is a globally connected research university in the UAE, supporting advanced scholarship across engineering, science, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Through its Division of Engineering and Water Research Center, NYU Abu Dhabi provides a strong platform for researchers working on desalination, sustainable water treatment, membrane technologies, environmental chemistry, and applied engineering solutions from Abu Dhabi.