Lead Materials Scientist - Advanced Composites

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual leave

Lab facilities

Professional development

Travel opportunities

Publish research

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, seeks a Lead Materials Scientist to head R&D in advanced composites and guide a multidisciplinary team. You will set research direction, drive innovations in material design, and oversee projects from concept to commercialization.

You will lead characterization, testing, and process optimization (RTM, autoclave, pultrusion) to ensure scalable manufacturing and market relevance.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive research experience in composite materials development.
• Proven leadership experience managing scientific teams and R&D projects.
• In-depth knowledge of polymer chemistry, composite manufacturing processes (e.g., RTM, autoclave, pultrusion), and characterization techniques.
• Strong understanding of material mechanics and failure analysis.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated success in bringing new materials from concept to commercialization.
• Experience with computational modeling and simulation of material behavior is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of novel composite materials, including fiber-reinforced polymers and nanocomposites.
• Oversee material characterization, testing, and failure analysis using advanced techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, DSC, TGA, mechanical testing).
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for composite materials, ensuring scalability and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with product development teams to integrate new materials into commercial applications.
• Manage a team of materials scientists and technicians, providing technical guidance and mentorship.
• Author and review technical reports, patents, and publications.
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements in materials science.
• Manage research project budgets and timelines effectively.
• Represent the company at technical conferences and industry forums.

Skills

Leadership experience

Polymer science

Composite materials development

Material characterization

SEM/TEM/DSC/TGA

Project management

Communication skills

Computational modeling

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science/Polymer Science/Chemical Engineering

Tools

SEM

TEM

DSC

TGA

Job description

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, seeks a Lead Materials Scientist to head R&D in advanced composites and guide a multidisciplinary team. You will set research direction, drive innovations in material design, and oversee projects from concept to commercialization.

You will lead characterization, testing, and process optimization (RTM, autoclave, pultrusion) to ensure scalable manufacturing and market relevance.