FUNCTIONAL SPECIALIST

Aquaworks Private Limited

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

Supervises a team of scientists who conduct theoretical or applied scientific research aimed at advancing technical knowledge and/or solving complex problems. Monitors progress of projects and reviews experiments to ensure that they adhere to established quality standards.

Marmon Water Research Center – IIT-Madras ICCW, Chennai, India 

 

Position:  Domain / Subject Matter Expert, Membrane Modification/ Adsorbent/Absorbent Innovation [Alternative: Sorption Innovation (Ion Exchange, Adsorption, Absorption] 

 

Marmon Water, Inc., a Marmon Holdings, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Company, has established a research and innovation center at IIT-Madras ICCW Chennai, India.  Marmon Water is an international leader in water treatment technologies, systems and chemistries with manufacturing and product development centers located in the United States, India, China and Singapore.  The Marmon Water Research Center – India will be dedicated to working with all Marmon Water Business Units to develop innovative technologies that will be disruptive to our industry. 

 

Reports to:  Director, Marmon Water India Research Center 

 

Responsibilities and Duties:   

• Independently research new sorption technologies: membranes/ adsorbent/ absorbents/ exchangers 

• In collaboration with the Business Unit Technical Teams, maintain and update a pertinent literature and patent library, periodically report on status.  

• Examine other global literature sources as available. 

• In collaboration with the Business Unit Technical Teams, find, review and screen new technologies based on technical viability, potential IP position and ultimate cost to implement. 

• Develop promising technologies to a proof of concept stage up to and including lab scale technology/process studies to prove/define process and viability. 

• Document and report on all efforts. 

• Interactively support ongoing development of technologies once past proof of concept stage. 

• Directly design, conduct and analyze sorption experiments in coordination with the Business Units’ technical team.  

 

The candidate will be expected to: 

• Work with the business units to find, evaluate and develop new technologies from worldwide sources (universities, startups and other companies). 

• Staff and develop a high-level team that can:  

• Design patentable solutions through the proof-of-concept stage for handoff to the business units’ technical teams.   

• Technology focus will be on water treatment solutions to improve water quality and consumer health.   

• The candidate will need to have a working knowledge of Intellectual Property processes both in India and the United States. 

• Understanding user needs through the eyes of our business and marketing teams; solving problems with unique technology(ies). 

 

Selection Criteria:  

• Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. in Polymer/Organic Chemistry, Material Sciences, or closely related field. 

• Preference to: Candidates who have shown a background in functional polymer synthesis and water treatment. 

• 1-2 years minimum experience in a technology discovery/development role in water related field. 

• Experience with experimental design 

• Experience with polymer modification 

• Experience in Analytical Instrumentation and analytical methods to support development and performance evaluation. 

• Including: NMR, ICP-MS, GPC, GC-MS, FTIR, SEM, TGA, extractables, others 

• Experience in contaminant reduction technologies a plus. 

• Self-starting/motivated. 

• Able to assess work, draw conclusions and move forward independently. 

• Outstanding organizational skills. 

• Lead by example – including conducting laboratory experiments,  

• Strong team skills – will need to work sufficiently closely with Marmon Water Business Units. If chosen, candidate will be part of the Marmon Water Sorption Team, which meets monthly by conference call to discuss sorption related technologies and challenges in testing. 

• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). 

• Physical Demands/Work Environment:  

• Work in a laboratory environment safely with chemicals/materials/apparatuses as needed to develop/demonstrate sorption technologies. 

• Due to the nature of this position, the applicant will be exposed to potentially hazardous substances.  

• Leadership ability: 

• Proven track record of accomplishment leading research efforts and teams. 

• Technical achievement: 

• Proven expertise in chosen discipline including patents and publications. 

• Has presented at international academic or industrial conferences in English. 

 

Ideal Competencies: 

• Results oriented leader. 

• Hands-on leader who leads by example.  

• Collaborative. 

• Strategic Thinker. 

• Mastery of US English.  

• Excellent presentation skills. 

• Able to achieve results with limited resources.  
   

Desirable personal and professional characteristics: 

• Candid, ethical, integrity 

• Empathetic 

• Able to make tough decisions. 

 

Travel:   

• International and regional travel required.   

• Travel 10-20%. 

 

Salary Range: 

• Competitive salary and benefits. 

 

Marmon Water is seeking candidates for the position of Domain Expert, functional materials, to be a part of our innovative technology teams. The candidate must have knowledge of synthesis of the functional polymers and its characterization using NMR, FTIR, TGA, GPC etc. The candidate should have a personal and professional interest in clean-water technologies with a background in functional polymers/media / resin/membrane development and testing. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or similar with a research emphasis on the design or evaluation of advanced water treatment technologies. Candidates not having this specific research background will be considered if they have worked in a technology development role in the design or evaluation of media and fiber technologies to remove contaminants form water. 

 

The candidate will be responsible for coordinating research activities between the MW Business Units and the MWRC – India. The preferred candidate will have proven leadership experience, but will be expected to build equipment, carry out experiments and enjoy working in the laboratory. The preferred candidate will have a background in research and development, and experience in writing and evaluating patents. The ideal candidate will work with Marmon Water worldwide technical teams to find and evaluate new technologies to treat known and emerging contaminants. Travel up to and including 30% should be expected. 

 

This person will report to the Director of the Marmon Water Indian Research Center. The Domain Expert, Functional Polymer, will be working alongside other Domain Experts and is expected to generate innovative ideas and solutions for water treatment technologies (in the sorption field). Semiannual trips to international locations for collaboration both internal and external to Marmon Water will be expected.  

 

As the Marmon Water Research Center – India is being developed, Marmon Water seeks out candidates who are willing to work in a start-up like atmosphere. This is a great opportunity to build a research program and team to deliver innovative technologies to the water treatment market. 

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.