Chief Scientific Officer

About RennoWaste

RennoWaste is a next-generation cleantech company developing integrated biorefinery systems to convert agro-industrial and post-harvest residues into high-value fuels, chemicals, and materials.

Located at SRI-TBI, Delhi, RennoWaste focuses on valorizing lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose streams into commercially viable biofuels, thermoset binders, chelates, and bio-based intermediates through scalable pretreatment and conversion technologies.

Role Overview

The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) will lead RennoWaste’s R&D and pilot development strategy—bridging fundamental biomass chemistry with scalable industrial implementation.

This position requires a scientist-engineer hybrid mindset capable of translating bench-scale results into process engineering solutions, guiding technology validation, and establishing a high-performance multidisciplinary R&D team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the scientific direction, R&D programs, and pilot plant development for lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose valorization.
• Define, plan, and supervise the design, setup, and commissioning of RennoWaste’s pilot biorefinery unit.
• Develop standardized process protocols for pretreatment, separation, and conversion of biomass components.
• Oversee analytical and characterization work to ensure quality control and material reproducibility.
• Co-lead proposal writing and grant acquisition (DST, DBT, BIRAC, MNRE, Innosuisse, etc.) to fund technology scale-up.
• Evaluate techno-economic feasibility (TEA) and guide the optimization of CapEx and OpEx for pilot and industrial systems.
• Build and mentor a cross-functional R&D and process team (biotechnology, chemistry, and engineering).
• Interface with industrial partners, incubation centers, and government agencies to align R&D outcomes with commercialization goals.
• Ensure safety compliance, environmental standards, and IP strategy development in collaboration with legal and innovation partners.

Required Qualifications

• Deep understanding of lignocellulosic biomass chemistry, including lignin depolymerization, cellulose hydrolysis, and hemicellulose valorization pathways.
• Minimum 10 years of industrial or translational research experience in biomass, biofuels, or biochemicals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in process design, R&D strategy, or technology scale-up.
• Strong grasp of reactor engineering, process intensification, solvent recovery, and analytical techniques (FTIR, NMR, HPLC, GPC).

Preferred Experience

• Previous leadership role in biorefinery, ethanol, or CBG project execution (pilot to commercial scale).
• Experience with plant commissioning, process troubleshooting, and techno-economic validation.
• Proven track record of grant or project leadership with agencies such as DBT, DST, MNRE, or industry-funded consortia.
• Publications, patents, or commercialization experience in biomass pretreatment or lignin valorization.
• Established professional network across academia, PSUs, and industrial biotechnology sectors.

What We Offer

• Leadership Position: Core leadership role driving RennoWaste’s scientific and industrial growth strategy.
• Autonomy: Freedom to build and direct the scientific, technical, and pilot development teams.
• Collaborative Ecosystem: Access to top-tier R&D partners, testing facilities, and support at SRI Delhi and other national institutes.
• Growth Trajectory: Opportunity to evolve into CTO or Director (Technology) as the company progresses to commercial scale.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• A scientist-engineer leader who can bridge lab innovation with industrial execution.
• Experienced in biomass process chemistry, analytical validation, and industrial project management.
• Capable of building teams, partnerships, and processes from the ground up.
• Committed to long-term scientific and commercial vision (5+ years).

Application

hr@rennowaste.com.