Chemical Research & Development Engineer

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Pension

Research funding

Conference attendance

Publication opportunities

On-site in Paarl

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Research & Development Engineer for our client in Paarl, Western Cape. The role focuses on discovering and developing novel chemical products and processes in state-of-the-art labs.

You will design experiments, analyze data, and work with a multidisciplinary team to scale successful lab processes to pilot and commercial stages, while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years hands-on experience in chemical research and development.
• Proven experience in experimental design, execution, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with process scale-up challenges and methodologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• On-site in Paarl, Western Cape; experience with computational chemistry tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research into new chemical compounds, materials, and processes.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to validate theoretical concepts and explore new possibilities.
• Develop and optimize laboratory-scale processes, documenting all findings meticulously.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to advance R&D projects.
• Scale-up promising laboratory processes to pilot plant and eventually commercial scale.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and methodologies relevant to chemical R&D.
• Prepare technical reports, research papers, and patent applications.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in relevant fields of chemical science and engineering.

Skills

Experimental design

Laboratory techniques

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering / Chemistry

Tools

Computational chemistry tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned research institution and chemical producer, is seeking an innovative Chemical Research & Development Engineer to join their advanced labs in Paarl, Western Cape. This role focuses on the discovery and development of novel chemical products and processes. You will be at the forefront of scientific exploration, translating laboratory findings into scalable industrial applications. The ideal candidate possesses a strong research background, exceptional experimental design skills, and a passion for innovation. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge advancements in chemical science and technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research into new chemical compounds, materials, and processes.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to validate theoretical concepts and explore new possibilities.
• Develop and optimize laboratory‑scale processes, documenting all findings meticulously.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to advance R&D projects.
• Scale‑up promising laboratory processes to pilot plant and eventually commercial scale.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and methodologies relevant to chemical R&D.
• Prepare technical reports, research papers, and patent applications.
• Ensure compliance with all laboratory safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in relevant fields of chemical science and engineering.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience in chemical research and development.
• Proven experience in experimental design, execution, and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of chemical principles, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Experience with laboratory equipment and analytical techniques.
• Familiarity with process scale‑up challenges and methodologies.
• Excellent problem‑solving and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a research‑focused team environment on‑site in Paarl, Western Cape.
• Experience with computational chemistry tools is a plus.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• medical aid
• pension
• substantial research funding
• opportunities for publication and conference attendance
• stimulating work environment dedicated to scientific discovery
• the role is based in the picturesque region of Paarl, Western Cape.