Senior Research Executive/ Assistant Research Scientist- NetZero & Ecosystems

Unilever is seeking a Senior Research Executive/Assistant Research Scientist for their NetZero & Ecosystems team in India. The role involves expertise in materials chemistry, innovation in formulation techniques, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to develop sustainable solutions. Candidates should have a degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field with 3-5 years of experience, particularly in Home Care. Strong project management and communication skills are essential.
Key Responsibilities

Chemical Expertise:
Maintain deep knowledge of raw materials, including their performance, environmental impact, cost, and supply chain relevance—particularly for key formulations in focus. Keep up with emerging developments in materials chemistry and sustainable process engineering.

Innovation & Hypothesis Testing:
Collaborate with other scientists to explore and validate new ingredients and formulation techniques. Assess how changes affect performance, cost, and sustainability. Design and carry out experiments to gather insight and optimize detergent and cleaning formulations.

Data & Analysis:
Collect and evaluate data across material properties, process efficiency, cost, and sustainability. Use experimental and simulation-based methods to test hypotheses. Present findings with clear recommendations based on risk-benefit analysis. Leverage advanced digital tools (beyond Excel and PowerPoint) for modeling and communication.

Cross-functional Collaboration:
Work closely with internal teams and external partners to progress new technologies from idea to implementation, creating measurable business value through sustainable solutions.

What You Need to Succeed

Qualifications & Experience:
• A degree in Chemical Engineering, or a Master’s in Physics or Chemistry with 3–5 years of relevant industry or academic experience in formulations or material development—preferably within Home Care or adjacent sectors.
• Proven experience in enhancing product performance while supporting sustainability and delivering new value propositions.

Domain Knowledge:
• Expertise in sustainability science relevant to Home Care ingredients (e.g., surfactants, enzymes, polymers, fragrances).
• Understanding of ingredient interactions and how they impact performance, environmental footprint, and cost.
• Experience with net-zero material development, including feedstock optimization and scalable, sustainable processing aligned with industry standards.
• Collaboration with ecosystem stakeholders to co-create solutions and support strategic forecasting and risk-benefit evaluation.
• Working knowledge of LCA tools like SimaPro, openLCA, Ecochain, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare technical papers and reports, showcasing scientific analysis and clear communication.

Additional Skills
• Project Management: Ability to effectively manage timelines, deliverables, and resources.
• Digital Proficiency: Comfort with using advanced digital platforms and modeling tools.
• Creative Thinking: Innovation in product design and problem-solving.
• Strong Communication: Clear verbal and written skills for effective teamwork and idea presentation.
• Adaptability: Openness to new challenges and evolving priorities.

Leadership Expectations

You lead by example, consistently achieving high-quality results with resilience and curiosity. You stay focused on what matters most—delivering solutions that address consumer needs and promote a sustainable future. You take ownership of your own performance and wellbeing, while keeping a pulse on external trends, data, and opportunities for improvement.

Unilever’s Standards of Leadership
• Deliver with Excellence: Strive for executional brilliance and real-world impact.
• Stay Three Steps Ahead: Balance today’s demands with forward-thinking strategies.
• Focus on What Counts: Prioritize meaningful initiatives, challenge assumptions, and drive outcomes that matter.