PrEl's Biotech India Pvt. Ltd. is looking for an Research and Development (R&D;) Specialist / Project Lead to lead our research projects.

PrEl’s is a DPIIT-registered deep-tech biotechnology startup (DIPP104936) targeting environmental pollution and valorisation, incubated at the Technology Business Incubator, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (TBI-SIST), Chennai.

Founded in 2019, we develop biological solutions for industrial pollution remediation and resource recovery, taking biotechnology from laboratory research towards real-world industrial applications.

The role involves developing, testing and scaling biotechnology products for industrial and commercial applications.

Key Project Areas The selected candidate will lead research activities in one or both of our key project areas:

1. Oil Pollution Remediation & Biodegradation

R&D; focused on biological treatment of oil pollution, petroleum hydrocarbons and contaminated environments through PrEl’s μEn enzymatic platform.

Key areas include

- Oil dispersal and Oil spill treatment
- Microbial degradation of oil and petroleum hydrocarbons
- Bioremediation of oil-contaminated environments
- Enzyme-based remediation approaches
- Isolation and characterisation of oil-degrading microorganisms
- Microbial consortium development and process optimisation
- Regulatory compliance, Safety testing and Commercialisation of the product

Candidates with experience in Oil & Gas, Petroleum, Lubricants, Hydrocarbon Degradation, Environmental Remediation or related industrial fields are particularly encouraged to apply.

2. Heavy Metal Recovery & Bioleaching

Research and development focused on removal of toxic heavy metal in environment and biological recovery of strategically important metals from industrial waste streams such as fly ash.

Key areas include

- Bioleaching, biosorption, bioremediation, Bioaccumulation and biotransformation




- Isolation and characterisation of indigenous microorganisms
- Microbial functional characterisation
- Microbial consortium development and management
- Laboratory-to-pilot-scale process development and validation
- Regulatory compliance, Safety testing and Commercialisation of the product

Candidates with experience in heavy metal degradation, industrial metal recovery using biotechnology and chemical engineering, Environmental Remediation or related industrial fields are particularly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead day-to-day R&D; activities for the assigned project
- Design and execute microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology experiments with appropriate controls and scientific logic
- Plan experiments, analyse results and determine next-stage research activities
- Lead microbial isolation, screening, characterisation and consortium development
- Conduct data analysis and prepare technical/research reports
- Support laboratory-to-pilot-scale validation and process optimisation
- Maintain experimental records, protocols and technical documentation
- Ensure laboratory safety, equipment maintenance and good laboratory practices
- Identify technical challenges and develop scientifically sound solutions
- Prepare research proposals, grant applications and technical documents
- Present research findings in meetings, workshops and technical events
- Stay updated with current biotechnology research, technologies and industry developments
- Work closely with the Management and Directors to translate R&D; outcomes into practical and scalable industrial solutions




- Support project planning, technical discussions and coordination with external partners when required

Qualifications & Experience

PhD in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Biotechnology, Life Sciences or a relevant field.

OR

M.Sc. / M.Tech. in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Biotechnology or related disciplines with 2+ years of relevant industrial or research experience.

Industrial Experience Preferred

Candidates with hands-on experience in:

Oil & Gas | Petroleum | Environmental Remediation | Industrial Biotechnology | Microbiology | Bioremediation | Bioleaching | Biomining | Metal Recovery | Hydrocarbon Degradation | Waste Management will be given preference.

Experience working in an industrial R&D; environment, commercialisation, and regulatory compliance, particularly in oil/petroleum-related industries/mining/heavy metals recovery, will be an added advantage.

Preferred Technical Skills

- Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in Microbiology and Biochemistry
- Practical understanding of Molecular Biology techniques and laboratory methods
- Experience in Bioleaching, Biosorption, Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation
- Hands-on experience in Bioremediation and environmental biotechnology applications
- Knowledge or experience in Oil and Hydrocarbon Degradation and Oil Chemistry
- Experience in microbial isolation, screening, characterisation and microbial consortium development
- Familiarity with Bioinformatics tools and biological data analysis
- Strong skills in experimental design, planning and scientific problem-solving
- Ability to analyse experimental data and interpret research results
- Experience in laboratory management, safety practices and equipment handling
- Robust ability to maintain scientific records, research reports, protocols and technical documentation

📌 Research And Development (R&D) Specialist / Project Lead (Chennai)
🏢 PrEl's Biotech India Private
📍 Chennai