35d ago
Job description
Job Position: R&D Hub Director, Global R&D Center
Location: Hong Kong
Employment Type: Full-time
Position Overview
EcoCeres is establishing its Global R&D Hub. We are recruiting the R&D Hub Director to lead the end‑to‑end setup, R&D strategy, and international team building for the new centre. Based in Hong Kong, this role leverages local innovation ecosystem to drive R&D in green molecules (biomass utilization, renewable/green chemicals development) and low‑carbon new materials, builds industry & academia partnerships, and collaborates closely with the manufacturing site and group global R&D teams to commercialize new technologies.
Key Responsibilities
1. R&D Strategy, Planning and Operations
- Develop and implement the medium- to long-term R&D strategy, annual plans and budget for the Global R&D Hub, with overall responsibility for its operations and performance.
- Define R&D priorities, resource requirements and performance indicators in alignment with the Company's business and sustainability objectives.
- Establish effective operating processes, project governance and performance-tracking mechanisms for the center.
2. Technology Development and Commercialization
- Lead technology scouting, R&D innovation and major project delivery in biomass utilization, renewable and green chemicals, and low-carbon new materials.
- Identify promising technologies and external opportunities that support the Company's long-term growth and decarbonization strategy.
- Drive the transition of technologies from laboratory research through scale-up, pilot validation and commercialization, in collaboration with manufacturing and business teams.
3. International R&D Team Leadership
- Build and lead an international R&D team, including talent recruitment, team development, succession planning, performance management and incentive design.
- Define the organization structure and capability requirements needed to support the Global R&D Hub's strategic priorities.
- Foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, innovation, accountability and continuous development.
4. External Partnerships and Innovation Funding
- Establish and maintain partnerships with leading universities, research institutes and industry partners worldwide.
- Develop joint research programs, strategic collaborations and technology development initiatives with external partners.
- Identify and support applications for relevant government grants, research funding and other innovation programs.
5. Intellectual Property, Compliance and Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Oversee intellectual property protection, R&D confidentiality and cross-border compliance.
- Ensure that research activities, technology transfers and external collaborations comply with applicable legal, regulatory and internal requirements.
- Work closely with mainland R&D, manufacturing, HSE, procurement and other relevant functions to support efficient project execution and commercialization.
6. Global R&D Coordination and Governance
- Coordinate and oversee the operations of the Group's global R&D centers, promoting alignment, collaboration and knowledge sharing across locations.
- Support the development of common standards for R&D project management, reporting, documentation and intellectual property management.
- Facilitate the sharing of technical capabilities, resources and best practices across the Group's global R&D network.
Job Requirements
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, New Energy, Environmental / Low‑carbon related disciplines.
- 10+ years R&D experience in green chemistry, new materials or renewable / low‑carbon industry; 5+ years experience managing international R&D teams and setting up R&D centres. Experience in Hong Kong or overseas research institutions is highly preferred.
- Proven track record delivering projects from lab‑scale R&D to industrialization, solid knowledge in IP and relevant innovation schemes.
- Excellent bilingual communication skills in English and Chinese, experienced in cross‑cultural & cross‑border collaboration.
- Strong strategic thinking, resource mobilization and resilience, aligned with our vision for sustainable low‑carbon technologies.
About this role
Experience
Senior
About EcoCeres
Company Overview
Name
EcoCeres Limited, a privately held company backed by Bain Capital, Kerogen Capital, and Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Towngas)
HeadquartersHong Kong, Hong Kong
Founded2008
SizeApproximately 500–1,000 employees (source: linkedin.com)
What They Do
EcoCeres is a global leader in the innovation and commercialization of renewable fuels and green molecules derived exclusively from waste-based biomass feedstocks (source: ecoceres.com). The company specializes in producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), alongside renewable naphtha and cellulosic ethanol, using proprietary technology that converts used cooking oil and agricultural waste into drop-in substitutes for fossil fuels (source: ifc.org). Their SAF is fully traceable and ISCC-certified, delivering up to a 90% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel, positioning EcoCeres as a key player in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation and road transport (source: about.hsbc.com.hk). The company’s proprietary feedstock-to-fuel process enables production across multiple fuel types rather than focusing on a single product, supporting global energy resilience through industrial-scale production from 100% waste-based feedstocks (source: ecoceres.com).
Projects & Track Record
EcoCeres operates industrial biofuel production facilities in Hong Kong, China, and Malaysia, including a notable plant in Jiangsu and a biofuel production hub under construction in Pasir Gudang, Johor, designed to produce SAF, HVO, and bio-naphtha at scale (source: ifc.org). A landmark commercial project is the November 2024 partnership with HSBC and Cathay Pacific, where HSBC Hong Kong purchased approximately 3,400 metric tonnes of SAF for Cathay Pacific flights departing Hong Kong International Airport, supporting the local SAF ecosystem with fuel made from used cooking oil (source: about.hsbc.com.hk). The company has also forged strategic collaborations with British Airways to extend SAF supply, partnered with Viva Energy to accelerate SAF adoption in Australia, and worked with SF Group and China National Aviation Fuel to advance low-carbon air cargo in China (source: ecoceres.com). In 2026, EcoCeres expanded into low-carbon backup power for data centers through collaborations with Chindata and Bridge Data Centres, completing the first HVO-powered backup fuel pilot in the Asia Pacific region (source: ecoceres.com). The company’s ambitious regional growth includes a proposed HK$10 billion investment in a SAF plant in Dongguan, signaling a multi-year buildout across the Greater Bay Area (source: scmp.com).
Recent Developments
In August 2025, EcoCeres published its sustainability report along with a greenhouse gas accounting and audit report for 2025, underscoring its commitment to transparency and emissions reduction tracking (source: ecoceres.com). The following month, the company publicly supported Hong Kong’s vision to develop a sustainable aviation fuel industry chain in the Greater Bay Area, describing itself as a Hong Kong-based climate tech unicorn with proprietary technology converting agricultural waste into advanced biofuels achieving up to 90% lifecycle emissions reductions (source: ecoceres.com). Throughout 2026, EcoCeres announced multiple commercial partnerships and market expansion initiatives, including showcasing at Beijing China TransPo 2026, collaborations with SF Group and China National Aviation Fuel, and extending SAF supply agreements with British Airways and Viva Energy (source: ecoceres.com). Additionally, the company was recognized as the "Best Company to Work for in Asia" in May 2026, reflecting its growing reputation and workplace culture (source: ecoceres.com).
Working There
EcoCeres employs approximately 500 to 1,000 people globally, with roles spanning production, engineering, commercial, supply chain, sustainability reporting, audit, business development, partnership management, communications, and market development (source: linkedin.com). The company’s operations and hiring activities are concentrated in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Malaysia, with business development and partnership roles primarily based in Hong Kong, while plant operations and production work are centered in China and Southeast Asia (source: ifc.org). EcoCeres is distinguished from conventional fuel traders or utilities companies by its focus on waste-to-fuels biorefinery technology, emphasizing proprietary conversion processes and industrial-scale production of SAF, HVO, and related green molecules, supported by international commercial partnerships and a strong employer brand (source: ecoceres.com).
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