R&D Associate, FEI & OI Germ Protection

We are Reckitt

Home to the world's best loved and trusted hygiene, health, and nutrition brands. Our purpose defines why we exist: to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We are a global team united by this purpose. Join us in our fight to make access to the highest quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment a right and not a privilege.

​Research & Development​

In Research and Development, we're full of highly skilled talents that include Scientists, Engineers, Medical, Clinical and Regulatory professionals - all working to create a cleaner, healthier world. With nine Centres of Excellence, we continually seek out new opportunities by using science, our entrepreneurial flare and our fearless innovation to develop and enhance our existing portfolio, never compromising on quality or performance.

We do the right thing, always, by ensuring we act with responsibility and integrity, by complying with regulatory legislation across the globe, whilst ensuring our products are safe for our consumers and are to the highest quality.

The size of our organisation means you'll have the opportunity to learn and work in different functions within R&D, giving you exposure to different disciplines, teams and environments. You will also have access to our Research and Development Academy, designed to develop our team and allow you to grow in our great organisation.

About the role

The purpose of this role is to lead the generation, development, and progression of new innovation opportunities that create a strong and sustainable project pipeline. Success will be measured by your ability to identify high-potential opportunities and lead them through validation and into the innovation pipeline.

You will lead the shaping and advancement of early-stage innovation concepts, taking accountability for translating ideas into robust project opportunities. This includes defining and executing technical workplans, driving project activities against agreed timelines, and ensuring projects progress efficiently through key development milestones.

Based within the Gurgaon R&D team, this is a hands-on role with responsibility for leading new innovation 
projects from concept generation through to pipeline readiness. You will own the scientific and technical delivery of assigned projects, providing leadership across key activities, influencing project direction, and ensuring opportunities are developed with the rigour and evidence needed to support successful progression into the pipeline.

Generate and develop new innovation ideas, translating emerging technologies and consumer insights into tangible concepts that can be progressed into the innovation pipeline.

Build and apply a strong understanding of new and existing technologies, using this knowledge to unlock novel product opportunities and deliver meaningful consumer benefits.

Deliver agreed project outcomes by carrying out hands-on laboratory work, including prototype development, testing, and demonstration, ensuring all activities meet defined KPIs, quality standards, and timelines.

Take ownership of developing new experimental methods, test approaches, and demonstration models to bring ideas to life and clearly showcase the value of new technologies.

Drive continuous improvement of R&D laboratory capabilities, processes, and ways of working, including enhancing experimental methods, reporting quality, and knowledge management (e.g., documentation and lab records).

Your responsibilities

In R&D Front End Innovation, you will take ownership of transforming emerging insights, technologies, and consumer trends into innovative opportunities that shape our future pipeline. Working at the earliest stages of product creation, you will identify new concepts, develop and test prototypes, and drive their progression towards development and launch.

As part of the Front-End Innovation team, you will lead the identification, development, and validation of new opportunities across Germ Protection and Personal Care. Based in Hull and connected to a global network across the UK, US, India, and Poland, you will build strong cross-functional partnerships with marketing, R&D development, supply, procurement, and commercial teams to turn early-stage ideas into scalable innovation opportunities.

A key aspect of the role is hands-on laboratory work, where you will own the development of new methods, prototypes, and demonstrator models. You will use these to showcase emerging technologies, unlock meaningful consumer benefits, and build compelling cases for innovation investment and progression.

This is a fast-paced, creative, and highly collaborative role offering significant responsibility from day one. You will have the opportunity to lead key workstreams, influence innovation direction, and contribute to high-impact projects while developing deep expertise in innovation, consumer understanding, and concept development.

The experience we're looking for

Technical\professional qualifications required: 

The successful candidate must have a very strong ability in interaction with stake holders and influencing skills.

A good graduate degree in a relevant scientific discipline would be beneficial. 

Experience within Healthcare/FMCG environment

A interest in new technologies.

Personal Attributes: 

Results oriented, self-motivated, creative/curious mindset with solid prioritisation and time management skills.

Strong communicator with solid laboratory expertise, capable of developing new methods and resolving complex technical challenges.

The skills for success

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What we offer

With inclusion at the heart of everything we do, working alongside our four global Employee Resource Groups, we support our people at every step of their career journey, helping them to succeed in their own individual way. We invest in the wellbeing of our people through parental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program to promote mental health, and life insurance for all employees globally. We have a range of other benefits in line with the local market. Through our global share plans we offer the opportunity to save and share in Reckitt's potential future successes. For eligible roles, we also offer short-term incentives to recognise, appreciate and reward your work for delivering outstanding results. You will be rewarded in line with Reckitt's pay for performance philosophy.

Equality

We recognise that in real life, great people don't always 'tick all the boxes'. That's why we hire for potential as well as experience. Even if you don't meet every point on the job description, if this role and our company feels like a good fit for you, we still want to hear from you. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, disability or medical condition; colour, ethnicity, race, citizenship, and national origin; religion, faith; pregnancy, family status and caring responsibilities; sexual orientation; sex, gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity; protected veteran status; size or any other basis protected by appropriate law.