Purpose:
This role leads applied digital & AI research and solutions, turning novel ideas into validated prototypes and production-ready capabilities. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle for R&D Digital AI solutions—from problem framing and data acquisition to model development, evaluation, and handoff for industrialization—while partnering closely with R&D technology, process engineering, and production operations to ensure measurable business impact.
Responsibilities:
- AI Research Leadership: Define the Digital AI R&D agenda and roadmap aligned with R&D priorities (e.g., experiment modeling, process safety analysis, materials modeling)
- Solution Prototyping: Design and build proof-of-concept models and AI components (ML/DL, computer vision, optimization) with clear success criteria and experiment logs.
- Data Strategy: Partner with data owners to acquire, curate, and govern datasets across R&D realms; establish robust feature stores and documentation.
- Standards & Methods: Establish reproducible research AI/ML models & applications (versioning, experiment tracking, model cards) and contribute to reusable libraries and templates for rapid experimentation.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with process engineers, R&D scientists, plant operations, and the Digitalization & AI team to co-design solutions and validate value in pilot environments.
- Risk, Safety & Compliance: Ensure models adhere to safety, HSE, and cybersecurity requirements; drive responsible AI practices (bias checks, explainability, validation protocols).
- Technology Scouting: Evaluate emerging AI techniques, tools, and platforms; run benchmarks and maintain a tech radar for R&D use cases.
- Knowledge Transfer: Document findings, publish internal reports, and deliver training to upskill teams and transition prototypes to production engineering.
Requirements:
- Bachelor or master’s in computer science, Data Science, Chemical/Process Engineering, or related field.
- 8+ years in applied digital / AI solutions with proven delivery of prototypes into production contexts in chemical R&D & process industries.
- Hands-on experience with chemical / pharmaceutical R&D databases, applications and frameworks.
- Strong understanding of R&D and industrial data sources and integration across systems such as PIMS, LIMS & R&D realms systems & databases.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management; able to translate research into business value and influence technical direction.
- Demonstrated capability in statistical analysis, optimization, and scientific computing; familiarity with process modeling preferred.
- Regional experience across China/APAC and ability to operate in fast-paced, multi-site environments.
Working Conditions:
- Occasional travel to R&D labs and plant sites; work with sensitive confidential data under strict governance; collaborate across time zones and engage in pilot testing within live operational contexts following HSE & IP protection protocols.
EcoCeres is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. EcoCeres is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.
Top Skills
What We Do
EcoCeres, Inc. (“EcoCeres”) is a biofuel and bioproducts platform that turns waste into wonders with strong R&D capability. The company includes businesses of Bio-Grease Utilization and Agricultural Waste Utilization.
