[2] He previously held the TATA Chair for the Distinguished Professor of Metallurgical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
[2][5] He started his career as a senior scientist at the metallurgy division of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, but later moved to Banares Hindu University as a professor of metallurgical engineering.
[2][5] A former president of the Natural Resources Development Foundation, Jena held the chair of the Institute of Advanced Technology and Environmental Studies,[6] an organization engaged in technical consultancy and training in the fields of mining and mineral processing, management of waste and water resources, and material development.
[9][10] He had also contributed in the areas of chloride metallurgy of non-ferrous ores and extraction of nickel, cobalt, copper, lead, zinc, vanadium, and manganese.
[2][6] Jena received the National Metallurgist Award in 1969[17] from the Indian Institute of Metals and the civilian honour of Padma Shri from the Government of India in 1977.