Job Description

ABOUT UNILEVER:

Be part of the world's most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that strive to improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us every day. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life - giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best.

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we'll work to help you become a better you!

We are looking to hire a Research Executive / Senior Research Executive - Biology in our Beverages team based in Bangalore:

Job Purpose:

Delivering superior technologies and innovations to solve consumer relevant problems is very crucial for success in the area of plant-based beverages. Driven by this strong demand, Unilever and ekaterra has set up a Tea Technology Unit under joint development agreement to deliver cutting-edge technologies through fundamental understanding on various secondary metabolite pathways in tea and other botanicals through cross fertilization of ideas between biologists, chemists, chemical engineers. The biology/bioscience/biochemistry/biotechnology expertise is an integral part of other leading-edge expertise that Tea Technology Unit/Unilever Beverages/ekaterra has in the area of process engineering, product chemistry, analytical chemistry, health and wellness. The role requires the following key skills:

Key Skills

Strong background in the area of biology/biochemistry/biotechnology/life sciences/plant sciences/plant physiology

Strong hands-on practical experience on biochemical and molecular biology techniques

Enthusiasm to read and carry out hands-on practical R&D experiments in the lab, pilot plant and factories

Awareness on latest science developments in the area of plant biology, biochemistry, plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses, sustainability, regenerative agriculture

Pro-active and self-motivated to engage with internal and external science leaders, learning new skills in relatively shorter time frame.

Acquainted with Unilever SOLs across inner game and outer game to make sustainable living a common place.

Main Accountabilities

Elucidating metabolic pathways for secondary metabolites in tea and their application in health & wellbeing and tea quality

To develop cutting-edge technologies supported by risk-based assessment, consumer benefit to drive product superiority and savings under the guidance of senior scientists, group leader, collaborators

Underpinning the science across processes, product chemistry/ key technologies/innovations via closely working with Science Leaders/Project leaders/ecosystem partners

To support global and local project leaders, scientists in developing claims and KBS on product and processes development

Problem Solving

The employee is expected to work under the guidance of group of scientists with leading edge expertise in the area of tea biology, tea chemistry and tea processing to create and develop breakthrough technologies and help in advancing them through the innovation funnel to the market. This means that candidate is expected to be thorough with latest developments in the plant biochemistry, plant biotechnology, molecular biology, consumers need and competitor trends.

Change

Tea is a mature business with little or no change in 100+ years, hence this job requires a very high level of creativity to identify new technical opportunities and routes to deliver to the category ambition of superiority in teas with a 5-10-year time horizon. This involves scientific creativity, lateral thinking, rigor and in depth understanding in the area of plant biology, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, particularly on secondary metabolites pathways. Candidate will be working very closely within Tea Technology Unit with Scientists, Global TPLs for the growth of Unilever and ekaterra plant-based beverages businesses.

Key Requirement

BTech Biotechnology, MSc Biotechnology, MSc Plant Sciences, MSc Plant Biology, MSc Ag, MSc Biochemistry, BS Biology. The successful candidate will be part of biology skill base in the Tea Technology unit, which has been set up under JDA between Unilever and ekaterra to cater the R&D needs of Unilever and ekateraa plant-based beverages business.