Catalysis Research Scientist

Job description

**Catalysis Research Scientist** **About: Manastu Space** is an Indian space-tech company founded by IIT Bombay alumni **Tushar Jadhav** and **Ashtesh Kumar** . It develops hydrogen peroxide-based green propulsion systems for satellites and launch vehicles that enable safer maneuvering that is cost-effective and helps in debris collision avoidance with sustainable end-of-life deorbiting, thus address the growing needs and challenges of an increasingly crowded space environment. Our work sits at the intersection of advanced engineering, applied research and mission-critical systems, requiring deep technical capability and long-term thinking. **Website: https://www.manastuspace.com** **LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manastu-space/** **Email: careers@manastuspace.com** **Role Objective:** To support and take lead in the research and development and standardization of catalyst material used for the H2O2 based monopropellant used in thrusters. The role focuses on developing the understanding in catalyst material (base material and active material), develop the relation between material's physical and chemical property to its final decomposition behavior in the thruster and its performance parameters. **Role Overview:** The scientist will primarily be setting up experiments and using the characterization results to understand and design the catalyst material and guide the team towards achieving the same objective. The developmental part will include but not limited to establishing process for catalyst preparation and studying it, developing the root cause tree for the developed processes, establishing the standards that are needed for the QC of the processes, establishing the protocols for the QA of the process. The scientist is expected to guide the team in the associated R&D activity via active mentoring, having group discussions like brainstorming, root cause analysis, etc. **Key Responsibilities:** C **atalyst material preparation:** a. Designing the catalyst support and experimenting focused on building a catalyst support with required properties to withstand the high temperature and pressure combustion reaction in the thruster. b. Carry out literature study and experiments to create new catalyst material for the H2O2 based propellants. c. Carrying out experiments to understand the ways to enhance the catalytic property of the whole catalyst (active metal + support). d. Establish the structure of activity co-relation of the catalyst material. e. Establish and enhance the catalyst preparation process to improve the final required catalytic properties needed for the H2O2 decomposition reaction. **Material characterization:** a. Experience in interpretation of the characterization results such as XRD, XPS, ICP, SEM, TEM, BET, PSA etc. to infer insights to develop catalyst for the final application. b. Hands on experience in operating the above characterization tools is preferred. c. Having experience in software like MATLAB, MINITAB, COSMOL, DFT and Monte Carlo etc. will be an add-on. d. Proficiency and interest in understanding the materials suitability for an application using characterization techniques. e. Experience in utilizing characterization tools to understand the material failure points. Data **Analysis and Reporting:** a. Compile the experimentation and characterization results and draw meaningful conclusions to drive research objectives. b. Compile and organize experimental data, prepare comprehensive reports, and present findings to the research team. c. Contribute to the preparation of technical documents, research papers, patents, and presentations for internal and external audiences. d. Building and maintaining the library for the standard needed for the preparation and characterization of the catalyst material. e. Experience in compiling data usable for failure mode analysis. **Lab management and safety:** a. Adhere to laboratory safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized work environment. b. Assist in the procurement and organization of materials, chemicals, and equipment necessary for experiments. c. Taking care of instruments, maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and validation based on schedule. **Other skills:** a. Having the mindset to do independent R&D, as well as sharing the responsibility with team and carrying out the things as a unit. b. Willing to lead a group of people towards a common objective. c. Experience in developing catalyst beds for fixed bed reactors. d. Proficiency in reaction mechanisms, reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, degradation models, etc. e. Proficiency in Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, and any other failure analysis. f. Proficiency in Design of Experiments to reduce the experimental iteration smartly. g. Experience in establishing preparation process for a material and QA/QC for the same. h. Creating a mathematical model to understand the reaction happening in the catalyst bed. i. Interest in seeing the problems from first principles, interdisciplinary thinking, requirement-based thinking, etc. **Experience & Background PhD in heterogeneous catalysis with at least 2-year experience in developing catalyst material for an application in an industry.** Strong background in reaction kinetics, solid state physics, and surface chemistry. Experience in developing precious metal-based catalysts supported on a base material. Experience in failure analysis like FMEA, RCA, etc. Familiarity with DFT, COSMOL, MATLAB, etc. Strong publishing records such as patents, research papers and conferences Candidate should be capable of working in a timeline driven, result-oriented, and fast-paced environment. **Ideal Candidate Profile** The ideal candidate would be someone who is interested in doing experiments and analysis to build an understanding of the material that is being developed for an application. They should be someone who: • Is a highly driven experimental scientist with a d