Job Description

Job Title: Technical Consultant - Process Engineering & R&D (Bio-Valorization of Keratin Waste)

Location: Remote / Hybrid (India)

Job Type: Part-Time / Contract

Industry: Biotechnology / Agrotech / Sustainable Manufacturing

Company Overview

We are an early-stage sustainable startup focused on the valorization of waste human hair into high-value bio-fertilizers, amino acids, and keratin-based byproducts. We are looking for a technical expert to guide the transition from lab-scale research to a pilot manufacturing process using advanced hydrolysis techniques.

We are seeking a Chemical Engineer or Biotechnologist with deep expertise in protein hydrolysis and process intensification. The ideal candidate will translate technical literature into a viable manufacturing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). You will be responsible for defining the chemical formulation, selecting the appropriate machinery (specifically regarding cavitation technologies), and optimizing the process for cost-efficiency and amino acid yield.

Key Responsibilities

1. Process Formulation & Optimization:

Design a scalable process for the Alkaline Hydrolysis of human hair to extract amino acids and liquid bio-fertilizers

Develop protocols for Hydrodynamic and Acoustic Cavitation assisted hydrolysis to reduce energy costs and preserve heat-sensitive amino acids compared to traditional thermal methods

Optimize chemical ratios, specifically determining the optimal concentration of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and hair loading percentages to maximize hydrolysis efficiency

Formulate neutralization protocols using Ortho-phosphoric acid to create organic amendment fertilizers

2. Equipment Selection & Plant Design:

Identify and source specific equipment required for Hydrodynamic Cavitation, including Venturi tubes, high-pressure pumps, and circulation tanks

Select appropriate Ultrasonic Horns and generators for acoustic cavitation processes, ensuring specific power density requirements (e.g., 600 W dm?) are met

Recommend filtration and separation equipment (Centrifuges, Filter Presses) for the isolation of Melanin and Keratin precipitates

3. Chemical Sourcing & Safety:

Identify reliable Indian suppliers for industrial-grade chemicals including KOH, Ionic Liquids, Acetone, and Hydrochloric Acid

Establish safety protocols for handling strong alkalis and acids, ensuring the process accounts for the removal of sulfur fumes and safe neutralization

4. Analysis & Quality Control:

Define testing parameters for the final product, including HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis to quantify amino acid content (Cysteine, Ornithine, Taurine)

Establish protocols for FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) to verify the cleavage of disulfide bonds and protein degradation

Required Qualifications

Education: Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Applied Chemistry, or a related field.

Experience:

o Proven experience in hydrolysis processes, specifically regarding keratin or protein degradation

o Strong technical knowledge of Cavitation technologies (Hydrodynamic or Ultrasonic) and their application in chemical processing

o Experience with Waste-to-Value projects or bio-fertilizer formulation is highly desirable.

Technical Skills:

o Familiarity with scaling processes from lab bench (grams) to pilot plant (liters/tons)

o Understanding of downstream processing: filtration, neutralization, and freeze-drying

o Knowledge of Indian manufacturing regulations and chemical sourcing in India.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with research methodologies used by institutes like CSIR-CSMCRI or CSIR-CMERI, or Kerala Agricultural University

Experience in extracting high-value byproducts like Melanin and Keratin from biological waste

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter highlighting your experience with hydrolysis, cavitation, or fertilizer formulation.

Job Types: Part-time, Contractual / Temporary, Freelance

Benefits:

Work from home
Work Location: Remote