Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is a publicly funded research institute, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is home to a diverse community of leading scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and researchers from across the globe, transforming problems and roadblocks into pioneering research and technology prototypes that help move society ahead.
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Centre
Lead Researcher Functional Activities:
1.Membrane Fabrication & Development
- Formulate and synthesize polymer solutions (dope) for hollow fiber and flat sheet membranes.
- Operate membrane fabrication equipment (e.g., phase inversion systems, spinnerets, casting machines).
- Optimize spinning/casting parameters (bore fluid rate, air gap, coagulation bath) for desired pore structure and mechanical properties.
- Incorporate nanomaterials or surface modifiers (e.g., TiO₂, GO, zwitterions) to enhance anti-fouling and permeability.
- Fabricate ceramic membranes using methods such as extrusion, slip casting, or tape casting with alumina, zirconia, or silicon carbide materials.
- Sinter and coat ceramic membranes to achieve desired porosity, strength, and selectivity.
2. Module Assembly & Process Design
- Assemble membrane modules (UF, NF, RO, FO, MBR) using customized housings and spacers.
- Integrate modules into pilot- and bench-scale treatment systems.
- Design skid-mounted pilot units and flow circuits for performance validation.
- Simulate membrane performance using flux, TMP, rejection, and fouling indicator.
3. Performance Evaluation & Characterization
- Conduct lab testing using real or synthetic feedwaters (seawater, wastewater, brine, etc.).
- Measure performance metrics: pure water flux, salt rejection, fouling resistance, chlorine tolerance.
- Characterize membrane morphology and surface properties (SEM, AFM, FTIR, contact angle, zeta potential).
- Analyze long-term stability under cyclic loading and cleaning protocols.
4. R&D Project Management
- Diligently manage projects as per established project management protocols
- Define experimental plans and timelines for project milestones.
- Maintain detailed lab records and technical reports.
- Collaborate with analytical teams, process engineers, and data scientists.
5. Innovation, IP & Dissemination
- Develop novel membrane compositions and fabrication methods.
- Support IP filing through invention disclosures and patent drafting.
- Write scientific manuscripts and present findings at international conferences.
- Support grant proposals and public-private partnership submissions.
6. Mentoring & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Supervise junior researchers, interns, and lab technicians.
- Train new team members on membrane preparation and testing protocols.
- Coordinate cross-functional work with materials, chemical, and environmental teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead & execute R&D initiatives in membrane design, fabrication, and performance optimization (e.g., PVDF, PTFE, PES, PAN-based membranes).
- Develop, test, and validate hollow fiber, flat sheet, and ceramic membrane modules for applications including ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, and membrane bioreactors (MBRs).
- Design and conduct bench-scale and pilot-scale experiments, analyzing performance metrics such as flux, fouling resistance, salt rejection, and mechanical stability.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (material scientists, process engineers, chemists) on membrane surface modifications and module integration.
- Evaluate long-term membrane performance under various water matrices (seawater, brackish water, wastewater).
- Contribute to patent filings, technical publications, and grant proposals.
- Mentor junior researchers and interns; support scale-up and commercialization efforts.
- Excellent understanding of the current state of the art in Water technologies, including but not limited to
- water treatment and related technologies such as micro/ultra/nano filtration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure retarded osmosis, electrodialysis reversal, capacitive deionization and membrane distillation.
- process optimization methodologies, such as batch RO, salinity-gradient energy harvesting, and energy efficiency.
- brine management approaches such as zero liquid discharge, ultrahigh pressure RO, CEDR and other technologies.
- Digitization of distribution networks, smart sensing and metering, and overall water security management.
- Ability to identify challenges and opportunities and establish / prioritize impactful research directions.
- Able to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ambitious, with the intellectual horsepower and work ethic to support their ambition.
- A highly innovative bent of mind showcased by high-impact journal publications and patent filings.
- Prior responsibilities for training and mentoring students and technical staff.
- Demonstrable abilities for effective English written and oral communication.
Requirements
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in membrane fabrication, water treatment processes, or membrane module design.
- Proven track record in hollow fiber spinning and/or flat sheet casting, crosslinking, and coating techniques.
- Experience in ceramic membrane fabrication including flat sheet and tubular membranes.
- Deep understanding of membrane characterization tools: SEM, FTIR, contact angle, pore size analysis, etc.
- Experience with pilot testing or industrial-scale membrane systems is highly desirable.
- Strong publication and/or patent record in relevant domains.
- Excellent project management, communication, and technical writing skills.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields.
At TII, we help society to overcome its biggest hurdles through a rigorous approach to scientific discovery and inquiry, using state-of-the-art facilities and collaboration with leading international institutions. Our rigorous discovery and inquiry-based approach helps to forge new and disruptive breakthroughs in advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, digital security, directed energy, quantum computing and secure systems.
