Senior Research Scientist - Polymer Chemistry

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Pension fund

Professional development

Modern lab facilities

R&D projects

Welkom team

Annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Welkom, South Africa, is seeking a Senior Research Scientist in Polymer Chemistry to join our R&D team. You will design advanced polymer architectures, optimize synthesis, and characterize materials to meet performance targets for coatings, adhesives, and composites.

You will lead projects, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate lab discoveries into scalable products at the Welkom facility in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years post-doctoral research experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• Expertise in polymerization techniques and polymer analysis methods.
• Strong understanding of polymer physics and structure-property relationships.
• Experience with formulation development and material testing is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel polymers with tailored properties.
• Optimize reaction conditions and scalable processes for polymer production.
• Characterize polymers using GPC, NMR, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and mechanical testing.
• Investigate structure-property relationships and correlate polymer characteristics with performance.
• Develop and evaluate new polymer formulations for specific end-uses.
• Conduct literature reviews and stay updated on advancements in polymer chemistry.
• Manage R&D projects, including planning, execution, and reporting of results.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior researchers.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to transition materials to production.
• Author technical reports, patents, and publications.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Polymer synthesis

Polymer analysis

Structure-property relationships

Statistical analysis

Project management

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

GPC

NMR

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented and dedicated Senior Research Scientist specializing in Polymer Chemistry to join their innovative research and development team based in **Welkom, Free State**. This role is central to developing advanced polymer materials for a range of industrial applications, including coatings, adhesives, and composites. You will be responsible for designing novel polymer architectures, optimizing synthesis processes, and characterizing material properties to meet specific performance requirements. The position involves leading independent research projects, mentoring junior scientists, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring new products to market. The ideal candidate will possess a strong theoretical background in polymer science coupled with extensive hands-on experience in polymer synthesis and analysis. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to significant technological advancements from our **Welkom** facility, driving innovation in material science within **South Africa**.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel polymers with tailored properties using various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, condensation, living polymerization).
• Optimize reaction conditions and develop scalable processes for polymer production.
• Characterize synthesized polymers using techniques such as GPC, NMR, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and mechanical testing.
• Investigate structure-property relationships and correlate polymer characteristics with performance in application.
• Develop and evaluate new polymer formulations for specific end-uses.
• Conduct thorough literature reviews and stay updated on the latest advancements in polymer chemistry.
• Manage R&D projects, including planning, execution, and reporting of results.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior researchers and technicians.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to transition new materials from lab to production.
• Author technical reports, patents, and scientific publications related to polymer research conducted in **Welkom**.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-graduate research experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• Demonstrated expertise in a range of polymerization techniques and polymer analysis methods.
• Strong understanding of polymer physics and structure-property relationships.
• Experience with formulation development and material testing is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to manage research projects independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative laboratory environment in the Free State.
• Experience with statistical analysis of experimental data.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with annual reviews.
• Comprehensive medical aid and pension fund.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Involvement in impactful R&D projects for diverse industries.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment in Welkom.
• Potential for career advancement within the organization.
• Generous annual leave allowance.