Principal Catalysis Scientist - Green Chemistry Leader

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium health coverage

Retirement contributions

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a global leader in chemical innovation to recruit a Principal Research Scientist in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The role centers on catalysis and green chemistry to develop novel catalytic processes, mentor a team, and advance sustainable manufacturing.

The ideal candidate has a PhD, 10+ years of research experience, hands‑on catalyst design/characterization, and a strong publication record.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry (Catalysis, Organic, Inorganic, or Physical) or Chemical Engineering is required.
• Minimum of 10 years of post‑doctoral or industry research experience with a strong focus on catalysis and green chemistry.
• Demonstrated success in designing, synthesizing, and characterizing catalysts.
• Strong understanding of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mechanistic organometallic chemistry.
• Proven track record of developing environmentally benign chemical processes.
• Experience with advanced analytical techniques for catalyst and reaction characterization (NMR, XRD, TEM, ICP-MS, GC-MS, XPS).
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills; strong publication record.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, synthesis, and testing of novel heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts for various chemical transformations.
• Develop and optimize catalytic processes with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and atom economy.
• Investigate reaction mechanisms using advanced spectroscopic and analytical techniques.
• Mentor and guide a team of research scientists and technicians, fostering innovation and scientific rigor.
• Collaborate with process development and engineering teams to scale up new catalytic processes.
• Publish high‑impact research in peer‑reviewed journals and present at international conferences.
• Contribute to the company's IP portfolio through patent filings.

Skills

Catalysis expertise

Green chemistry

Leadership

Project management

Computational chemistry

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Tools

NMR

XRD

TEM

ICP-MS

GC-MS

XPS

Job description

Placements24 is assisting a global leader in chemical innovation to recruit a Principal Research Scientist in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The role centers on catalysis and green chemistry to develop novel catalytic processes, mentor a team, and advance sustainable manufacturing.

The ideal candidate has a PhD, 10+ years of research experience, hands‑on catalyst design/characterization, and a strong publication record.