Lead Materials Scientist - Advanced Polymers

Placements24; South Africa; À distance; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive remuneration package

Performance-based bonuses

Medical aid and retirement fund

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Materials Scientist to head our polymer R&D in Tembisa, Gauteng. You will lead a team of scientists and engineers from concept to commercialization, driving innovative polymer solutions.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD and 7+ years in polymer research, with leadership experience. You will oversee synthesis, characterization, processing, and scale-up, while collaborating with manufacturing and product teams to transfer technology.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of polymer R&D experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, and processing.
• Experience developing and scaling up new polymer materials.
• Strong structure-property understanding in polymers.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Lead and mentor a team of scientists and research engineers on advanced polymer development.
• Direct design, synthesis, and characterization of novel polymer materials.
• Oversee pilot-scale production and process optimization for new formulations.
• Collaborate with product development and manufacturing for technology transfer.
• Develop advanced analytical techniques for material characterization.
• Manage project timelines, budgets and resources.
• Author technical reports, papers and patent applications.
• Stay current with literature and industry trends in polymers.
• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Connaissances

Leadership

Polymer synthesis

Polymer characterization

Polymer processing

Technical writing

Presentations

Rheology

Polymer extrusion

Formation

PhD in Materials Science / Polymer Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Outils

Spectroscopy

Microscopy

Thermal analysis

Mechanical testing

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client is a leading innovator in material science, dedicated to developing next-generation polymers for diverse industrial applications. We are currently seeking a highly skilled and visionary Lead Materials Scientist to spearhead our research and development efforts in Tembisa, Gauteng. This role involves leading a team of talented scientists and engineers, driving innovation from concept to commercialization, and ensuring our products remain at the forefront of technological advancement. You will work on challenging projects that require deep expertise in polymer chemistry, synthesis, characterization, and processing. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership qualities, a passion for scientific discovery, and a proven ability to translate complex research into tangible, market-ready solutions. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of advanced materials within a supportive and growth-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of materials scientists and research engineers focused on advanced polymer development.
• Direct research initiatives for the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel polymer materials.
• Oversee pilot-scale production and process optimization for new polymer formulations.
• Collaborate with product development and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless technology transfer.
• Develop and implement advanced analytical techniques for material characterization.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Author technical reports, research papers, and patent applications.
• Stay current with scientific literature, industry trends, and competitive technologies in the polymer field.
• Present research findings to internal stakeholders and external partners.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in polymer R&D, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization (spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical testing), and processing techniques.
• Proven experience in developing and scaling up new polymer materials.
• Strong understanding of structure-property relationships in polymers.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
• Experience with rheology and polymer extrusion is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with polymer recycling and sustainable materials is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and advanced training.
• Access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities and equipment.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.
• Generous annual leave allowance.