About Manastu

Manastu Space is a Space Safety and Logistics company focused on making space safe, sustainable, and accessible. We develop technologies to address critical challenges such as space debris mitigation and green propulsion, enabling safer satellite operations, and long-term sustainability of the space ecosystem.

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: [email protected]

Role Objective

Lead the scientific research and experimental development of high-temperature-stable catalysts that initiate decomposition and sustain combustion of our hydrogen peroxide–based green monopropellant inside the thrusters — reliably, through repeated starts and long cumulative firing, for the full life of the mission.

The role owns catalyst science end to end: elucidating the catalyst degradation mechanisms at work in the high-temperature, oxidising environment of the thruster, designing catalyst formulations that withstand it, and maturing the laboratory-scale preparation into a standardised, quality-controlled process supported by a qualification data pack accepted by customers and space agencies.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Catalyst Research Scientist to join our growing aerospace facility in Navi Mumbai, with strong expertise in heterogeneous catalysis — rational catalyst design, preparation, and characterization.

The role addresses two central technical challenges: catalyst deactivation under the thermal and oxidising conditions of thruster operation, and batch-to-batch variation in catalyst properties between preparations of identical chemical composition. Solving them demands a rigorous understanding of structure–activity relationships, combined with disciplined process control and scale-up.

You will work at the intersection of materials chemistry,



heterogeneous catalysis, and propulsion hardware, contributing to the development of stable, reliable, and flight-ready catalyst beds for green propulsion systems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design, synthesise, and shape high-temperature-stable catalysts for the decomposition and combustion of our hydrogen peroxide–based green monopropellant inside the thrusters.
2. Lead the investigation of catalyst degradation mechanisms and catalyst bed failures — chemical, thermal, and mechanical — establishing each mechanism with characterization evidence and driving it to root cause and verified resolution.
3. Plan and execute structured catalyst screening campaigns — supported by lab-scale tests, to predict catalyst functionality inside the thruster — and down-select candidate materials on measured evidence.
4. Establish structure–activity correlations, identifying the intrinsic catalyst properties that govern activity and operational life, and develop validated models to predict catalyst bed performance.
5. Perform and interpret catalyst characterization using techniques such as XRD, XPS, BET, SEM/TEM, ICP, TGA, chemisorption, and mechanical testing.
6. Standardise the catalyst preparation process into SOPs with QA/QC acceptance limits, and scale it up to the batch sizes required for qualification.
7. Compile the qualification data pack — catalyst specifications, quality standards, and traceability from raw material to fired bed — required for certification by customers and space agencies.
8. Publish technical findings internally and externally, mentor team members, and build laboratory capability,



with safety integrated into every experimental plan from the outset.

Experience & Background

1. PhD in Catalysis, or a related field, with a minimum of 5 years of post-PhD industry or equivalent experience in heterogeneous catalyst development — ideally for high-temperature, oxidising, or similarly demanding environments.
2. Hands-on experience in catalyst synthesis (impregnation, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, or similar routes) and shaping (granulation, pelletising, or extrusion), with a sound understanding of how preparation variables govern catalyst properties.
3. Robust grounding in catalyst deactivation mechanisms and failure analysis, supported by hands-on command of characterization techniques such as XRD, XPS, BET, SEM/TEM, ICP, TGA, chemisorption, and mechanical testing.
4. Experience in process standardisation and scale-up — SOPs, QA/QC acceptance limits, and quality control across repeated batches.
5. A strong publication record (patents, research papers, and conferences), ideally with a catalyst taken from the laboratory to a released product or specification.
6. Ability to work in a timeline-driven, result-oriented, and fast-paced environment with a safety-first approach.

Ideal Candidate Profile

- A hands-on catalyst scientist experienced in synthesis, shaping, characterized, and scaled catalysts — and supports every claim with measured data.
- Combines a scientist’s understanding of mechanisms and structure–activity relationships with an engineer’s discipline in process control — having taken at least one material from concept to reliable, repeatable batches.
- Works independently, communicates effectively across engineering teams and leadership, and treats safety as an integral part of the science.

What we offer

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive health insurance

High ownership and visibility, with direct access to leadership

Support for learning, conferences, and research exposure

Subsidized lunch plan

📌 Catalyst Research Scientist (Navi Mumbai)
🏢 Manastu Space
📍 Navi Mumbai