Group Lead 2 ( 82998965 )
Reliance Industries Limited
Purpose of the Role - The Group Lead # Research Scientist is responsible for setting the strategic direction of research programs and leading multiple teams to deliver high-impact innovation aligned with business goals. The role involves driving technology development from concept to commercialization, solving complex and cross-functional challenges, and building strong technical capabilities within the organization. The individual works closely with senior leadership to shape the innovation agenda and ensure alignment with long-term business priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee multiple research programs and portfolios with end-to-end accountability
- Drive development of innovative technologies, products, or processes
- Solve complex, high-impact technical challenges across domains and functions
- Build and strengthen innovation pipelines, identifying and incubating breakthrough ideas
- Mentor, coach, and develop senior scientists
- Collaborate with business, operations, and external partners to translate research into value creation
- Ensure quality and rigor in experimental design, data interpretation, and technical decision-making
- Drive continuous improvement in research methodologies, infrastructure, and team capabilities
- Champion intellectual property creation, protection, and portfolio strategy
- Drive external collaborations with academia, startups, and industry partners
- Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory, and quality standards across research activities
- Influence investment decisions and resource allocation for research initiatives
- Present strategic insights and recommendations to executive leadership forums
- Prepare the Annual Plan with clear quantitative targets in a time-bound manners for the Elastomer Group
- Create new future portfolios of research inaddition polymerization in Elastomer related area.
- Lead multiple research programmes in Elastomer Group.
- Align activities of the Elastomer Group projects with Business & Manufacturing goals for performance enhancement and operational excellence
- Assess new programmes of Elastomer Group and learn from the multiple ongoing programmes and recommend
- Review charter / plan for research projects of the Elastomer Group
- Anticipate constraints / trends and review alternatives for the smooth execution of the Elastomer Group
- Envisage need for condensation / addition polymerization facilities / projects and then plan & Execute the up gradation process.
- Anticipate customer / business needs for business & support in technology up gradation.
- Become "guardian" of the exploratory ideas in related areas of condensation/ addition polymerization, acquire buy-ins from different technical groups and convert into a project proposal with details justification
- Identify external agencies for collaborative / outsourcing, arrange resources in various areas of Elastomer areas. Identify specialists and Manage multiple third party engagements
- Coordinator for lab accreditation activity of the addition / condensation polymerization and other related areas
- Prepare and implement all the organizational initiative in Elastomer Group
- Critical assessment of available information and data base Approve reports generated by scientist
- Create the opportunities for value generation different areas of Elastomers
- Develop the competency level of every team members to perform in time bound manner and contribute to the organizational goal/objectives.
- Very clear communication based on facts are to be done with the team for a transparent data based system
- Motivation and interpersonal relationship development with the internal and external team members to achieve excellence, provide meaningful feedback for development of the young scientist
- Identify the training requirements of the team members for various technical and nontechnical competencies and plan for the execution
- Conflict handling and Problem solving of the team members in more assertive way as on when required
- Supporting Leadership with factual informations for various technical and nontechnical activities of Lab/team
- Learning and mentoring multiple team for technical and personal improvement
- Manage all technical conference/presentation of team for skill and competencies development
- Ensure compliance with internal management systems (PMS, ITR, etc.) and IP
- Decide access-control for information in one’s own area
- Exhibit high RIL six values and Behaviour in all activities related to RIL
- Enforce and motivate all team members to showhighest level of V & B during all activities of RIL at all times
- Train and ensure highest level of V & B exhibition to all new team mates
- Develop a safety culture among the teams with a frontline leadership
- Decide new methodology and safe practices to ensure 100% HSEF procedures/practises in all technical activities inside RIL Laboratories and other workplaces and review the system as on when required. Revise the system when not giving the desired results.
- Understand the local and central statuary regulations and prepare the process for 100 % compliance and ensure and monitor the implementations
- Guide and mentor behavioural safety of self and team through various innovative ideas
- Learning and mentoring teammates for R & D HSEF Objectives and RMS requirements
- Learning and implementing the new/or upgraded management processes and mentoring of team for healthy and safe laboratory environment
- Techno-commercial mindset with the business acumen
- Realistic Technical understanding of the project with timeline
- Development of strategic area where technical expertise rarely exists/not approachable
- Managing multiple tasks, team, projects and delivering within defined timeline.
- Proper documentation for various technical research publication, patents.
- Comfortable Working with cultural diverse environment
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Ph. D in Polymer Science / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Chemistry
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Ø Minimum 15 Years Of Experience In Condensation/addition Polymerization
Ø Advance knowledge in Polymer characterization for micro-macro analysis
Ø In depth knowledge of Rubber compounding ingredients and various Rubber product application
Ø Profound knowledge of Composite development based on rubber and other polymers
Ø Working experience inMelt blending and Extrusion
Ø Basic Knowledge biodegradability and biopolymers
Ø Hands on experience in Bench Scale synthesis, Scale up to kg scale and Plant scale
Ø Plant trouble shooting and process support for suspension Polymerization manufacturing facility
Ø Experience of handling a team size of 5 or more
Ø Basic Knowledge of project management or stage gate process management
Ø Basic Knowledge of Budget, CAPEX execution
Education Requirement :
PhD in Engineering / Science
(e.g., Chemical, Polymer, Materials, Mechanical, Biotechnology, or related fields)
Experience Requirement :
- 15#18 years of relevant experience in research, development, or technology leadership roles
- Demonstrated experience in leading large research portfolios and delivering commercial impact
- Strong track record of technology development, scale-up, and commercialization
- Proven contributions in patents, publications, or industry-recognized innovations
- Experience in cross-functional leadership and external collaborations
- Deep technical and domain expertise with strong scientific credibility
- Proven strategic thinking and innovation leadership
- Ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and complex programs
- Strong business acumen and ability to link research to commercial outcomes
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Advanced problem-solving and decision-making capability
- Strong communication and executive presence
- Experience in building and mentoring high-performing teams
- Ability to drive collaboration across internal and external ecosystems
- Strong ownership and results orientation
- Familiarity with emerging technologies and digital transformation