Catalysis Research Scientist - Hybrid, High-Impact Work

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and health benefits

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Research Chemist specializing in catalysis development in Paarl, Western Cape. The role focuses on designing, synthesizing, and testing catalytic materials to enhance activity, selectivity, and sustainability within hybrid lab settings.

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in chemistry or chemical engineering with catalysis focus and 3+ years of postdoc/industrial experience, including catalyst testing and kinetics studies.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with a strong focus on catalysis.
• Minimum 3 years of postdoctoral or industrial research experience in catalyst development.
• Demonstrated expertise in synthesis and characterization of catalytic materials.
• Hands-on experience with catalytic reaction testing and kinetic studies.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques relevant to catalyst characterization.
• Strong understanding of surface chemistry, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and creativity in developing new catalytic solutions.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information effectively.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with computational catalysis is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize heterogeneous and/or homogeneous catalysts.
• Characterize catalyst materials using techniques such as XRD, BET, TEM, XPS, and spectroscopy.
• Evaluate catalyst performance in relevant chemical reactions, optimizing conditions for activity, selectivity, and stability.
• Investigate reaction mechanisms and kinetics using advanced analytical methods.
• Collaborate with process engineers to explore the scalability of promising catalytic systems.
• Maintain detailed records of experiments, results, and analyses in laboratory notebooks.
• Conduct thorough literature reviews to stay informed about the latest developments in catalysis.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and contribute to scientific publications.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute innovative ideas for new catalytic applications.

Skills

Catalysis expertise

Synthesis & characterization

Problem solving

Written & verbal communication

Independent & collaborative work

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with catalysis focus

Tools

XRD

BET

TEM

XPS

Job description

Placements24 seeks a Research Chemist specializing in catalysis development in Paarl, Western Cape. The role focuses on designing, synthesizing, and testing catalytic materials to enhance activity, selectivity, and sustainability within hybrid lab settings.

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in chemistry or chemical engineering with catalysis focus and 3+ years of postdoc/industrial experience, including catalyst testing and kinetics studies.