Principal Research Scientist - Materials Science

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement plan options

Professional development allowances

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Research Scientist in Materials Science for its Welkom, Free State facility. You will lead high-impact research, drive novel material development, and translate science into products. Strong leadership, synthesis/characterization expertise, and industry collaboration are essential.

You will design advanced experiments, mentor researchers, manage budgets, and contribute to IP. This role offers a strategic position shaping future materials innovations.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related engineering discipline.
• At least 10 years of extensive research experience in materials science with a track record of leadership.
• Expertise in material synthesis, processing, and characterization techniques.
• Strong knowledge of materials properties and performance relationships.
• Experience with computational modeling and simulations is advantageous.
• Proven ability to lead research teams and manage complex projects.
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Strong network within the scientific community and relevant industries.
• Experience in managing intellectual property and collaborating with commercial teams.
• Ability to secure external research funding is a plus.
• Willing to work at Welkom, Free State location.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct research projects focused on novel materials development.
• Design and conduct advanced experiments for material synthesis, characterization, and performance testing.
• Utilize analytical techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, DSC) for material analysis.
• Develop theoretical models and simulations to predict material behavior.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate new materials.
• Identify and explore new research areas and opportunities.
• Publish high-quality scientific work and present at conferences.
• Mentor junior scientists and researchers.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and resources.
• Contribute to IP generation and patent applications.

Skills

Materials synthesis

Materials characterization

Computational modeling

Leadership

Scientific writing

Project management

Mentoring

IP knowledge

Collaboration with industry

Education

PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related engineering discipline

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

AFM

DSC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in advanced materials and technology solutions, is seeking a distinguished Principal Research Scientist specializing in Materials Science to join their forward-thinking R&D department. This senior role will be based at our client's advanced research facility in Welkom, Free State . The Principal Research Scientist will be responsible for leading high-impact research initiatives, driving innovation in novel material development, and translating scientific discoveries into commercially viable products. This position requires a visionary leader with a deep understanding of materials characterization, synthesis, and performance evaluation. The role offers a unique opportunity to influence strategic research directions and collaborate with a world-class team in the heart of the Free State . We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and fostering an environment of discovery and excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct research projects focused on the development of novel materials for diverse applications.
• Design and conduct advanced experiments for material synthesis, characterization, and performance testing.
• Utilize sophisticated analytical techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, DSC) for material analysis.
• Develop theoretical models and simulations to predict material behavior and properties.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to integrate new materials into next-generation products.
• Identify and explore new research areas and technological opportunities.
• Author high-quality scientific publications and present findings at international conferences.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and researchers within the team.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and resources effectively.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and patent applications.

Requirements

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related engineering discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of extensive research experience in materials science, with a proven track record of innovation and leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in material synthesis, processing, and characterization techniques.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of materials properties and performance relationships.
• Experience with computational modeling and simulation of materials is highly advantageous.
• Proven ability to lead research teams and manage complex projects.
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Strong network within the scientific community and relevant industries.
• Experience in managing intellectual property and collaborating with commercial teams.
• Demonstrated ability to secure external research funding is a plus.
• Commitment to working within the Welkom, Free State location.

Benefits

Our client offers an exceptional compensation package, including a leading salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, retirement plan options, and generous professional development allowances. This is a career-defining opportunity to lead innovation in materials science in Welkom and make a substantial contribution to technological advancements.